23Highways12005-04-012005-04-01falsePLANNING AND RESEARCHESUBCHAPTER EHighwaysFEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONSUBCHAPTER E—PLANNING AND RESEARCHPt. 420PART 420—PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIONSubpart A—Administration of FHWA Planning and Research FundsSec.420.101What is the purpose of this part?420.103How does the FHWA define the terms used in this part?420.105What is the FHWA's policy on use of FHWA planning and research funds?420.107What is the minimum required expenditure of State planning and research funds for research development and technology transfer?420.109What are the requirements for distribution of metropolitan planning funds?420.111What are the documentation requirements for use of FHWA planning and research funds?420.113What costs are eligible?420.115What are the FHWA approval and authorization requirements?420.117What are the program monitoring and reporting requirements?420.119What are the fiscal requirements?420.121What other requirements apply to the administration of FHWA planning and research funds?Subpart B—Research, Development, and Technology Transfer Program Management420.201What is the purpose of this subpart?420.203How does the FHWA define the terms used in this subpart?420.205What is the FHWA's policy for research, development, and technology transfer funding?420.207What are the requirements for research, development, and technology transfer work programs?420.209What are the conditions for approval? Authority:

Subpart A—Administration of FHWA Planning and Research Funds§ 420.101What is the purpose of this part?

This part prescribes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) policies and procedures for the administration of activities undertaken by State departments of transportation (State DOTs) and their subrecipients, including metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), with FHWA planning and research funds. Subpart A identifies the administrative requirements that apply to use of FHWA planning and research funds both for planning and for research, development, and technology transfer (RD&T) activities. Subpart B describes the policies and procedures that relate to the approval and authorization of RD&T work programs. The requirements in this part supplement those in 49 CFR part 18, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments and 49 CFR part 19, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations.

§ 420.103How does the FHWA define the terms used in this part?

Unless otherwise specified in this part, the definitions in 23 U.S.C. 101(a) are applicable to this part. As used in this part:

FHWA planning and research funds include:

(1) State planning and research (SPR) funds (the two percent set aside of funds apportioned or allocated to a State DOT for activities authorized under 23 U.S.C. 505);

(2) Metropolitan planning (PL) funds (the one percent of funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 104(f) to carry out the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134);

(3) National highway system (NHS) funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1) used for transportation planning in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135, highway research and planning in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 505, highway-related technology transfer activities, or development and establishment of management systems under 23 U.S.C. 303;

(4) Surface transportation program (STP) funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(3) used for highway and transit research and development and technology transfer programs, surface transportation planning programs, or development and establishment of management systems under 23 U.S.C. 303; and

(5) Minimum guarantee (MG) funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 505 used for transportation planning and research, development and technology transfer activities that are eligible under title 23, U.S.C.

Grant agreement means a legal instrument reflecting a relationship between an awarding agency and a recipient or subrecipient when the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient or subrecipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) property or services for the direct benefit or use of the awarding agency.

Metropolitan planning area means the geographic area in which the metropolitan transportation planning process required by 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 5303-5305 must be carried out.

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) means the cooperative RD&T program directed toward solving problems of national or regional significance identified by State DOTs and the FHWA, and administered by the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences.

Procurement contract means a legal instrument reflecting a relationship between an awarding agency and a recipient or subrecipient when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire (by purchase, lease, or barter) property or services for the direct benefit or use of the awarding agency.

State Department of Transportation (State DOT) means that department, commission, board, or official of any State charged by its laws with the responsibility for highway construction.

Transportation management area (TMA) means an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 (as determined by the latest decennial census) and designated by the Secretary of Transportation or other area when TMA designation is requested by the Governor and the MPO (or affected local officials), and officially designated by the Secretary of Transportation.

Transportation pooled fund study means a planning, research, development, or technology transfer activity administered by the FHWA, a lead State DOT, or other organization that is supported by two or more participants and that addresses an issue of significant or widespread interest related to highway, public, or intermodal transportation. A transportation pooled fund study is intended to address a new area or provide information that will complement or advance previous investigations of the subject matter.

Work program means a periodic statement of proposed work, covering no less than one year, and estimated costs that documents eligible activities to be undertaken by State DOTs and/or their subrecipients with FHWA planning and research funds.

§ 420.105What is the FHWA's policy on use of FHWA planning and research funds?

(a) If the FHWA determines that planning activities of national significance, identified in paragraph (b) of this section, and the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 134, 135, 303, and 505 are being adequately addressed, the FHWA will allow State DOTs and MPOs:

(1) Maximum possible flexibility in the use of FHWA planning and research funds to meet highway and local public transportation planning and RD&T needs at the national, State, and local levels while ensuring legal use of such funds and avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts; and

(2) To determine which eligible planning and RD&T activities they desire to support with FHWA planning and research funds and at what funding level.

(b) The State DOTs must provide data that support the FHWA's responsibilities to the Congress and to the public. These data include, but are not limited to, information required for: preparing proposed legislation and reports to the Congress; evaluating the extent, performance, condition, and use of the Nation's transportation systems; analyzing existing and proposed Federal-aid funding methods and levels and the assignment of user cost responsibility; maintaining a critical information base on fuel availability, use, and revenues generated; and calculating apportionment factors.

(c) The policy in paragraph (a) of this section does not remove the FHWA's responsibility and authority to determine which activities are eligible for funding. Activities proposed to be funded with FHWA planning and research funds by the State DOTs and their subrecipients shall be documented and submitted for FHWA approval and authorization as prescribed in §§ 420.111 and 420.113.(The information collection requirements in paragraph (b) of § 420.105 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 2125-0028 and 2125-0032.)

§ 420.107What is the minimum required expenditure of State planning and research funds for research development and technology transfer?

(a) A State DOT must expend no less than 25 percent of its annual SPR funds on RD&T activities relating to highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems in accordance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 505(b), unless a State DOT certifies, and the FHWA accepts the State DOT's certification, that total expenditures by the State DOT during the fiscal year for transportation planning under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135 will exceed 75 percent of the amount apportioned for the fiscal year.

(b) Prior to submitting a request for an exception to the 25 percent requirement, the State DOT must ensure that:

(1) The additional planning activities are essential, and there are no other reasonable options available for funding these planning activities (including the use of NHS, STP, MG, or FTA State planning and research funds (49 U.S.C. 5313(b)) or by deferment of lower priority planning activities);

(2) The planning activities have a higher priority than RD&T activities in the overall needs of the State DOT for a given fiscal year; and

(3) The total level of effort by the State DOT in RD&T (using both Federal and State funds) is adequate.

(c) If the State DOT chooses to pursue an exception, it must send the request, along with supporting justification, to the FHWA Division Administrator for action by the FHWA Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and Technology. The Associate Administrator's decision will be based upon the following considerations:

(1) Whether the State DOT has a process for identifying RD&T needs and for implementing a viable RD&T program.

(2) Whether the State DOT is contributing to cooperative RD&T programs or activities, such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, the Transportation Research Board, and transportation pooled fund studies.

(3) Whether the State DOT is using SPR funds for technology transfer and for transit or intermodal research and development to help meet the 25 percent minimum requirement.

(4) Whether the State DOT can demonstrate that it will meet the requirement or substantially increase its RD&T expenditures over a multi-year period, if an exception is granted for the fiscal year.

(5) Whether Federal funds needed for planning exceed the 75 percent limit for the fiscal year and whether any unused planning funds are available from previous fiscal years.

(d) If the FHWA Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and Technology approves the State DOT's request for an exception, the exception is valid only for that fiscal year's funds. A new request must be submitted and approved for subsequent fiscal year funds.

§ 420.109What are the requirements for distribution of metropolitan planning funds?

(a) The State DOTs shall make all PL funds authorized by 23 U.S.C. 104(f) available to the MPOs in accordance with a formula developed by the State DOT, in consultation with the MPOs, and approved by the FHWA Division Administrator. The formula may allow for a portion of the PL funds to be used by the State DOT, or other agency agreed to by the State DOT and the MPOs, for activities that benefit all MPOs in the State, but State DOTs shall not use any PL funds for grant or subgrant administration. The formula may also provide for a portion of the funds to be made available for discretionary grants to MPOs to supplement their annual amount received under the distribution formula.

(b) In developing the formula for distributing PL funds, the State DOT shall consider population, status of planning, attainment of air quality standards, metropolitan area transportation needs, and other factors necessary to provide for an appropriate distribution of funds to carry out the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 134 and other applicable requirements of Federal law.

(c) The State DOTs shall inform the MPOs and the FHWA Division Office of the amounts allocated to each MPO as soon as possible after PL funds have been apportioned by the FHWA to the State DOTs.

(d) If the State DOT, in a State receiving the minimum apportionment of PL funds under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 104(f)(2), determines that the share of funds to be allocated to any MPO results in the MPO receiving more funds than necessary to carry out the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134, the State DOT may, after considering the views of the affected MPO(s) and with the approval of the FHWA Division Administrator, use those funds for transportation planning outside of metropolitan planning areas.

(e) In accordance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134(n), any PL funds not needed for carrying out the metropolitan planning provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134 in any State may be made available by the MPO(s) to the State DOT for funding statewide planning activities under 23 U.S.C. 135, subject to approval by the FHWA Division Administrator.

(f) Any State PL fund distribution formula that does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall be brought into conformance with those requirements before distribution on any new apportionment of PL funds.

§ 420.111What are the documentation requirements for use of FHWA planning and research funds?

(a) Proposed use of FHWA planning and research funds must be documented by the State DOTs and subrecipients in a work program, or other document that describes the work to be accomplished, that is acceptable to the FHWA Division Administrator. Statewide, metropolitan, other transportation planning activities, and transportation RD&T activities may be documented in separate programs, paired in various combinations, or brought together as a single work program. The expenditure of PL funds for transportation planning outside of metropolitan planning areas under § 420.109(d) may be included in the work program for statewide transportation planning activities or in a separate work program submitted by the State DOT.

(b)(1) A work program(s) for transportation planning activities must include a description of work to be accomplished and cost estimates by activity or task. In addition, each work program must include a summary that shows:

(i) Federal share by type of fund;

(ii) Matching rate by type of fund;

(iii) State and/or local matching share; and

(iv) Other State or local funds.

(2) Additional information on metropolitan planning area work programs is contained in 23 CFR part 450. Additional information on RD&T work program content and format is contained in subpart B of this part.

(c) In areas not designated as TMAs, a simplified statement of work that describes who will perform the work and the work that will be accomplished using Federal funds may be used in lieu of a work program. If a simplified statement of work is used, it may be submitted separately or as part of the Statewide planning work program.

(d) The State DOTs that use separate Federal-aid projects in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must submit an overall summary that identifies the amounts and sources of FHWA planning and research funds available, matching funds, and the amounts budgeted for each activity (e.g., statewide planning, RD&T, each metropolitan area, contributions to NCHRP and transportation pooled fund studies, etc.).

(e) The State DOTs and MPOs also are encouraged to include cost estimates for transportation planning, research, development, and technology transfer related activities funded with other Federal or State and/or local funds; particularly for producing the FHWA-required data specified in paragraph (b) of § 420.105, for planning for other transportation modes, and for air quality planning activities in areas designated as non-attainment for transportation-related pollutants in their work programs. The MPOs in TMAs must include such information in their work programs. (The information collection requirements in §§ 420.111 have been approved by the OMB and assigned control numbers 2125-0039 for States and 2132-0529 for MPOs.)

§ 420.113What costs are eligible?

(a) Costs will be eligible for FHWA participation provided that the costs:

(1) Are for work performed for activities eligible under the section of title 23, U.S.C., applicable to the class of funds used for the activities;

(2) Are verifiable from the State DOT's or the subrecipient's records;

(3) Are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project objectives and meet the other criteria for allowable costs in the applicable cost principles cited in 49 CFR 18.22;

(4) Are included in the approved budget, or amendment thereto; and

(5) Were not incurred prior to FHWA authorization.

(b) Indirect costs of State DOTs and their subrecipients are allowable if supported by a cost allocation plan and indirect cost proposal prepared, submitted (if required), and approved by the cognizant or oversight agency in accordance with the OMB requirements applicable to the State DOT or subrecipient specified in 49 CFR 18.22(b).

§ 420.115What are the FHWA approval and authorization requirements?

(a) The State DOT and its subrecipients must obtain approval and authorization to proceed prior to beginning work on activities to be undertaken with FHWA planning and research funds. Such approvals and authorizations should be based on final work programs or other documents that describe the work to be performed. The State DOT and its subrecipients also must obtain prior approval for budget and programmatic changes as specified in 49 CFR 18.30 or 49 CFR 19.25 and for those items of allowable costs which require approval in accordance with the cost principles specified in 49 CFR 18.22(b) applicable to the entity expending the funds.

(b) Authorization to proceed with the FHWA funded work in whole or in part is a contractual obligation of the Federal government pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 106 and requires that appropriate funds be available for the full Federal share of the cost of work authorized. Those State DOTs that do not have sufficient FHWA planning and research funds or obligation authority available to obligate the full Federal share of a work program or project may utilize the advance construction provisions of 23 U.S.C. 115(a) in accordance with the requirements of 23 CFR part 630, subpart G. The State DOTs that do not meet the advance construction provisions, or do not wish to utilize them, may request authorization to proceed with that portion of the work for which FHWA planning and research funds are available. In the latter case, authorization to proceed may be given for either selected work activities or for a portion of the program period, but such authorization does not constitute a commitment by the FHWA to fund the remaining portion of the work if additional funds do become available.

(c) A project agreement must be executed by the State DOT and the FHWA Division Office for each statewide transportation planning, metropolitan planning area, or RD&T work program, individual activity or study, or any combination administered as a single Federal-aid project. The project agreement may be executed concurrent with or after authorization has been given by the FHWA Division Administrator to proceed with the work in whole or in part. In the event that the project agreement is executed for only part of the work, the project agreement must be amended when authorization is given to proceed with additional work.

(The information collection requirements in § 420.115(c) have been approved by the OMB and assigned control numbers 2125-0529.)§ 420.117What are the program monitoring and reporting requirements?

(a) In accordance with 49 CFR 18.40, the State DOT shall monitor all activities performed by its staff or by subrecipients with FHWA planning and research funds to assure that the work is being managed and performed satisfactorily and that time schedules are being met.

(b)(1) The State DOT must submit performance and expenditure reports, including a report from each subrecipient, that contain as a minimum:

(i) Comparison of actual performance with established goals;

(ii) Progress in meeting schedules;

(iii) Status of expenditures in a format compatible with the work program, including a comparison of budgeted (approved) amounts and actual costs incurred;

(iv) Cost overruns or underruns;

(v) Approved work program revisions; and

(vi) Other pertinent supporting data.

(2) Additional information on reporting requirements for individual RD&T studies is contained in subpart B of this part.

(c) Reports required by paragraph (b) of this section shall be annual unless more frequent reporting is determined to be necessary by the FHWA Division Administrator. The FHWA may not require more frequent than quarterly reporting unless the criteria in 49 CFR 18.12 or 49 CFR 19.14 are met. Reports are due 90 days after the end of the reporting period for annual and final reports and no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for other reports.

(d) Events that have significant impact on the work must be reported as soon as they become known. The types of events or conditions that require reporting include: problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially affect the ability to attain program objectives. This disclosure must be accompanied by a statement of the action taken, or contemplated, and any Federal assistance needed to resolve the situation.

(e) Suitable reports that document the results of activities performed with FHWA planning and research funds must be prepared by the State DOT or subrecipient and submitted for approval by the FHWA Division Administrator prior to publication. The FHWA Division Administrator may waive this requirement for prior approval. The FHWA's approval of reports constitutes acceptance of such reports as evidence of work performed but does not imply endorsement of a report's findings or recommendations. Reports prepared for FHWA-funded work must include appropriate credit references and disclaimer statements. (The information collection requirements in § 420.117 have been approved by the OMB and assigned control numbers 2125-0039 for States and 2132-0529 for MPOs.)

§ 420.119What are the fiscal requirements?

(a) The maximum rate of Federal participation for FHWA planning and research funds shall be as prescribed in title 23, U.S.C., for the specific class of funds used (i.e., SPR, PL, NHS, STP, or MG) except as specified in paragraph (d) of this section. The provisions of 49 CFR 18.24 or 49 CFR 19.23 are applicable to any necessary matching of FHWA planning and research funds.

(b) The value of third party in-kind contributions may be accepted as the match for FHWA planning and research funds, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 18.24(a)(2) or 49 CFR 19.23(a) and may be on either a total planning work program basis or for specific line items or projects. The use of third party in-kind contributions must be identified in the original work program/scope of work and the grant/subgrant agreement, or amendments thereto. The use of third-party in-kind contributions must be approved in advance by the FHWA Division Administrator and may not be made retroactive prior to approval of the work program/scope of work or an amendment thereto. The State DOT or subrecipient is responsible for ensuring that the following additional criteria are met:

(1) The third party performing the work agrees to allow the value of the work to be used as the match;

(2) The cost of the third party work is not paid for by other Federal funds or used as a match for other federally funded grants/subgrants;

(3) The work performed by the third party is an eligible transportation planning or RD&T related activity that benefits the federally funded work;

(4) The third party costs (i.e., salaries, fringe benefits, etc.) are allowable under the applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles (i.e., OMB Circular A-21, A-87, or A-122);1

1 OMB Circulars are available on the Internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.

(5) The third party work is performed during the period to which the matching requirement applies;

(6) The third party in-kind contributions are verifiable from the records of the State DOT or subrecipient and these records show how the value placed on third party in-kind contributions was derived; and

(7) If the total amount of third party expenditures at the end of the program period is not sufficient to match the total expenditure of Federal funds by the recipient/subrecipient, the recipient/subrecipient will need to make up any shortfall with its own funds.

(c) In accordance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 120(j), toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build, improve, or maintain highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve the public purpose of interstate commerce may be used as a credit for the non-Federal share of an FHWA planning and research funded project.

(d) In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 505(c) or 23 U.S.C. 104(f)(3), the requirement for matching SPR or PL funds may be waived if the FHWA determines the interests of the Federal-aid highway program would be best served. Waiver of the matching requirement is intended to encourage State DOTs and/or MPOs to pool SPR and/or PL funds to address national or regional high priority planning or RD&T problems that would benefit multiple States and/or MPOs. Requests for waiver of matching requirements must be submitted to the FHWA headquarters office for approval by the Associate Administrator for Planning and Environment (for planning activities) or the Associate Administrator for Research, Development, and Technology (for RD&T activities). The matching requirement may not be waived for NHS, STP, or MG funds.

(e) NHS, STP, or MG funds used for eligible planning and RD&T purposes must be identified separately from SPR or PL funds in the work program(s) and must be administered and accounted for separately for fiscal purposes. In accordance with the statewide and metropolitan planning process requirements for fiscally constrained transportation improvement program (TIPs) planning or RD&T activities funded with NHS, STP, or MG funds must be included in the Statewide and/or metropolitan TIP(s) unless the State DOT and MPO (for a metropolitan area) agree that they may be excluded from the TIP.

(f) Payment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 18.21 or 49 CFR 19.22.

§ 420.121What other requirements apply to the administration of FHWA planning and research funds?

(a) Audits. Audits of the State DOTs and their subrecipients shall be performed in accordance with OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.2 Audits of for-profit contractors are to be performed in accordance with State DOT or subrecipient contract administration procedures.

2 See footnote 1.

(b) Copyrights. The State DOTs and their subrecipients may copyright any books, publications, or other copyrightable materials developed in the course of the FHWA planning and research funded project. The FHWA reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, the work for Government purposes.

(c) Disadvantaged business enterprises. The State DOTs must administer the transportation planning and RD&T program(s) consistent with their overall efforts to implement section 1001(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. 105-178) and 49 CFR part 26 regarding disadvantaged business enterprises.

(d) Drug free workplace. In accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR part 29, subpart F, State DOTs must certify to the FHWA that they will provide a drug free workplace. This requirement may be satisfied through the annual certification for the Federal-aid highway program.

(e) Equipment. Acquisition, use, and disposition of equipment purchased with FHWA planning and research funds by the State DOTs must be in accordance with 49 CFR 18.32(b). Local government subrecipients of State DOTs must follow the procedures specified by the State DOT. Universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations must follow the procedures in 49 CFR 19.34.

(f) Financial management systems. The financial management systems of the State DOTs and their local government subrecipients must be in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 18.20(a). The financial management systems of universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations must be in accordance with 49 CFR 19.21.

(g) Lobbying. The provisions of 49 CFR part 20 regarding restrictions on influencing certain Federal activities are applicable to all tiers of recipients of FHWA planning and research funds.

(h) Nondiscrimination. The nondiscrimination provisions of 23 CFR parts 200 and 230 and 49 CFR part 21, with respect to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, apply to all programs and activities of recipients, subrecipients, and contractors receiving FHWA planning and research funds whether or not those programs or activities are federally funded.

(i) Patents. The State DOTs and their subrecipients are subject to the provisions of 37 CFR part 401 governing patents and inventions and must include or cite the standard patent rights clause at 37 CFR 401.14, except for § 401.14(g), in all subgrants or contracts. In addition, State DOTs and their subrecipients must include the following clause, suitably modified to identify the parties, in all subgrants or contracts, regardless of tier, for experimental, developmental or research work: “The subgrantee or contractor will retain all rights provided for the State in this clause, and the State will not, as part of the consideration for awarding the subgrant or contract, obtain rights in the subgrantee's or contractor's subject inventions.”

(j) Procurement. Procedures for the procurement of property and services with FHWA planning and research funds by the State DOTs must be in accordance with 49 CFR 18.36(a) and (i) and, if applicable, 18.36(t). Local government subrecipients of State DOTs must follow the procedures specified by the State DOT. Universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations must follow the procedures in 49 CFR 19.40 through 19.48. The State DOTs and their subrecipients must not use FHWA funds for procurements from persons (as defined in 49 CFR 29.105) who have been debarred or suspended in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR part 29, subparts A through E.

(k) Program income. Program income, as defined in 49 CFR 18.25(b) or 49 CFR 19.24, must be shown and deducted from total expenditures to determine the Federal share to be reimbursed, unless the FHWA Division Administrator has given prior approval to use the program income to perform additional eligible work or as the non-Federal match.

(l) Record retention. Recordkeeping and retention requirements must be in accordance with 49 CFR 18.42 or 49 CFR 19.53.

(m) Subgrants to local governments. The State DOTs and subrecipients are responsible for administering FHWA planning and research funds passed through to MPOs and local governments, for ensuring that such funds are expended for eligible activities, and for ensuring that the funds are administered in accordance with this part, 49 CFR part 18, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements to State and Local Governments, and applicable OMB cost principles. The State DOTs shall follow State laws and procedures when awarding and administering subgrants to MPOs and local governments and must ensure that the requirements of 49 CFR 18.37(a) have been satisfied.

(n) Subgrants to universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. The State DOTs and subrecipients are responsible for ensuring that FHWA planning and research funds passed through to universities, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations are expended for eligible activities and for ensuring that the funds are administered in accordance with this part, 49 CFR part 19, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and applicable OMB cost principles.

(o) Suspension and debarment. (1) The State DOTs and their subrecipients shall not award grants or cooperative agreements to entities who are debarred or suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549 of February 18, 1986 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); and

(2) The State DOTs and their subrecipients shall comply with the provisions of 49 CFR part 29, subparts A through E, for procurements from persons (as defined in 49 CFR 29.105) who have been debarred or suspended.

(p) Supplies. Acquisition and disposition of supplies acquired by the State DOTs and their subrecipients with FHWA planning and research funds must be in accordance with 49 CFR 18.33 or 49 CFR 19.35.

Subpart B—Research, Development and Technology Transfer Program Management§ 420.201What is the purpose of this subpart?

The purpose of this subpart is to prescribe requirements for research, development, and technology transfer (RD&T) activities, programs, and studies undertaken by State DOTs and their subrecipients with FHWA planning and research funds.

§ 420.203How does the FHWA define the terms used in this subpart?

Unless otherwise specified in this part, the definitions in 23 U.S.C. 101(a) and subpart A of this part, are applicable to this subpart. As used in this subpart:

Applied research means the study of phenomena to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized need may be met; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a question or solve a problem.

Basic research means the study of phenomena, and of observable facts, without specific applications towards processes or products in mind; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to increase knowledge.

Development means the systematic use of the knowledge or understanding gained from research, directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

Final report means a report documenting a completed RD&T study or activity.

Intermodal RD&T means research, development, and technology transfer activities involving more than one mode of transportation, including transfer facilities between modes.

Peer exchange means a periodic review of a State DOT's RD&T program, or portion thereof, by representatives of other State DOT's, for the purpose of exchange of information or best practices. The State DOT may also invite the participation of the FHWA, and other Federal, State, regional or local transportation agencies, the Transportation Research Board, academic institutions, foundations or private firms that support transportation research, development or technology transfer activities.

RD&T activity means a basic or applied research project or study, development or technology transfer activity.

Research means a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. Research can be basic or applied.

Technology transfer means those activities that lead to the adoption of a new technique or product by users and involves dissemination, demonstration, training, and other activities that lead to eventual innovation.

Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) means the database produced and maintained by the Transportation Research Board and available online through the National Transportation Library. TRIS includes bibliographic records and abstracts of on-going and completed RD&T activities. TRIS Online also includes links to the full text of public-domain documents.

§ 420.205What is the FHWA's policy for research, development, and technology transfer funding?

(a) It is the FHWA's policy to administer the RD&T program activities utilizing FHWA planning and research funds consistent with the policy specified in § 420.105 and the following general principles in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section.

(b) The State DOTs must provide information necessary for peer exchanges.

(c) The State DOTs are encouraged to develop, establish, and implement an RD&T program, funded with Federal and State DOT resources that anticipates and addresses transportation concerns before they become critical problems. Further, the State DOTs are encouraged to include in this program development and technology transfer programs to share the results of their own research efforts and promote the use of new technology.

(d) To promote effective use of available resources, the State DOTs are encouraged to cooperate with other State DOTs, the FHWA, and other appropriate agencies to achieve RD&T objectives established at the national level and to develop a technology transfer program to promote and use those results. This includes contributing to cooperative RD&T programs such as the NCHRP, the TRB, and transportation pooled fund studies as a means of addressing national and regional issues and as a means of leveraging funds.

(e) The State DOTs will be allowed the authority and flexibility to manage and direct their RD&T activities as presented in their work programs, and to initiate RD&T activities supported by FHWA planning and research funds, subject to the limitation of Federal funds and to compliance with program conditions set forth in subpart A of this part and § 420.207.

(f) The State DOTs will have primary responsibility for managing RD&T activities supported with FHWA planning and research funds carried out by other State agencies and organizations and for ensuring that such funds are expended for purposes consistent with this subpart.

(g) Each State DOT must develop, establish, and implement a management process that ensures effective use of available FHWA planning and research funds for RD&T activities on a statewide basis. Each State DOT is permitted to tailor its management process to meet State or local needs; however, the process must comply with the minimum requirements and conditions of this subpart.

(h) The State DOTs are encouraged to make effective use of the FHWA Division, Resource Center, and Headquarters office expertise in developing and carrying out their RD&T activities. Participation of the FHWA on advisory panels and in program exchange meetings is encouraged.

§ 420.207What are the requirements for research, development, and technology transfer work programs?

(a) The State DOT's RD&T work program must, as a minimum, consist of a description of RD&T activities to be accomplished during the program period, estimated costs for each eligible activity, and a description of any cooperative activities including the State DOT's participation in any transportation pooled fund studies and the NCHRP. The State DOT's work program should include a list of the major items with a cost estimate for each item. The work program should also include any study funded under a previous work program until a final report has been completed for the study.

(b) The State DOT's RD&T work program must include financial summaries showing the funding levels and share (Federal, State, and other sources) for RD&T activities for the program year. State DOTs are encouraged to include any activity funded 100 percent with State or other funds for information purposes.

(c) Approval and authorization procedures in § 420.115 are applicable to the State DOT's RD&T work program.

§ 420.209What are the conditions for approval?

(a) As a condition for approval of FHWA planning and research funds for RD&T activities, a State DOT must develop, establish, and implement a management process that identifies and results in implementation of RD&T activities expected to address high priority transportation issues. The management process must include:

(1) An interactive process for identification and prioritization of RD&T activities for inclusion in an RD&T work program;

(2) Use of all FHWA planning and research funds set aside for RD&T activities, either internally or for participation in transportation pooled fund studies or other cooperative RD&T programs, to the maximum extent possible;

(4) Support and use of the TRIS database for program development, reporting of active RD&T activities, and input of the final report information;

(5) Procedures to determine the effectiveness of the State DOT's management process in implementing the RD&T program, to determine the utilization of the State DOT's RD&T outputs, and to facilitate peer exchanges of its RD&T Program on a periodic basis;

(6) Procedures for documenting RD&T activities through the preparation of final reports. As a minimum, the documentation must include the data collected, analyses performed, conclusions, and recommendations. The State DOT must actively implement appropriate research findings and should document benefits; and

(7) Participation in peer exchanges of its RD&T management process and of other State DOTs' programs on a periodic basis. To assist peer exchange teams in conducting an effective exchange, the State DOT must provide to them the information and documentation required to be collected and maintained under this subpart. Travel and other costs associated with the State DOT's peer exchange may be identified as a line item in the State DOT's work program and will be eligible for 100 percent Federal funding. The peer exchange team must prepare a written report of the exchange.

(b) Documentation that describes the State DOT's management process and the procedures for selecting and implementing RD&T activities must be developed by the State DOT and submitted to the FHWA Division office for approval. Significant changes in the management process also must be submitted by the State DOT to the FHWA for approval. The State DOT must make the documentation available, as necessary, to facilitate peer exchanges.

(c) The State DOT must include a certification that it is in full compliance with the requirements of this subpart in each RD&T work program. If the State DOT is unable to certify full compliance, the FHWA Division Administrator may grant conditional approval of the State DOT's work program. A conditional approval must cite those areas of the State DOT's management process that are deficient and require that the deficiencies be corrected within 6 months of conditional approval. The certification must consist of a statement signed by the Administrator, or an official designated by the Administrator, of the State DOT certifying as follows: “I (name of certifying official), (position title), of the State (Commonwealth) of ____, do hereby certify that the State (Commonwealth) is in compliance with all requirements of 23 U.S.C. 505 and its implementing regulations with respect to the research, development, and technology transfer program, and contemplate no changes in statutes, regulations, or administrative procedures which would affect such compliance.”

(d) The FHWA Division Administrator shall periodically review the State DOT's management process to determine if the State is in compliance with the requirements of this subpart. If the Division Administrator determines that a State DOT is not complying with the requirements of this subpart, or is not performing in accordance with its RD&T management process, the FHWA Division Administrator shall issue a written notice of proposed determination of noncompliance to the State DOT. The notice will set forth the reasons for the proposed determination and inform the State DOT that it may reply in writing within 30 calendar days from the date of the notice. The State DOT's reply should address the deficiencies cited in the notice and provide documentation as necessary. If the State DOT and the Division Administrator cannot resolve the differences set forth in the determination of nonconformity, the State DOT may appeal to the Federal Highway Administrator whose action shall constitute the final decision of the FHWA. An adverse decision shall result in immediate withdrawal of approval of FHWA planning and research funds for the State DOT's RD&T activities until the State DOT is in full compliance.

The purpose of this subpart is to provide definitions for terms used in this part which go beyond those terms defined in 23 U.S.C. 101(a).

§ 450.102Applicability.

The definitions in this subpart are applicable to this part, except as otherwise provided.

§ 450.104Definitions.

Except as defined in this subpart, terms defined in 23 U.S.C 101(a) are used in this part as so defined.

Consultation means that one party confers with another identified party in accordance with an established process and, prior to taking action(s), considers that party's views and periodically informs that party about action(s) taken.

Cooperation means that the parties involved in carrying out the planning, programming and management systems processes work together to achieve a common goal or objective.

Coordination means the comparison of the transportation plans, programs, and schedules of one agency with related plans, programs and schedules of other agencies or entities with legal standing, and adjustment of plans, programs and schedules to achieve general consistency .

Governor means the Governor of any one of the fifty States, or Puerto Rico, and includes the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Maintenance area means any geographic region of the United States designated nonattainment pursuant to the CAA Amendments of 1990 (Section 102(e)), 42 U.S.C. 7410 et seq., and subsequently redesignated to attainment subject to the requirement to develop a maintenance plan under section 175A of the Clean Air Act as amended (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7410 et seq.

Major metropolitan transportation investment means a high-type highway or transit improvement of substantial cost that is expected to have a significant effect on capacity, traffic flow, level of service, or mode share at the transportation corridor or subarea scale. Consultation among the MPO, State department of transportation, transit operator, the FHWA and the FTA may lead to the designation of other proposed improvements as major investments beyond the examples listed below. Examples of such investments could generally include but are not limited to: Construction of a new partially controlled access (access allowed only for public roads) principal arterial, extension of an existing partially controlled access (access allowed only for public roads) principal arterial by one or more miles, capacity expansion of a partially controlled access (access provided only for public roads) principal arterial by at least one lane through widening or an equivalent increase in capacity produced by access control or technological improvement, construction or extension of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facility or a fixed guideway transit facility by one or more miles, the addition of lanes or tracks to an existing fixed guideway transit facility for a distance of one or more miles, or a substantial increase in transit service on a fixed guideway facility. For this purpose, a fixed guideway refers to any public transportation facility which utilizes and occupies a designated right-of-way or rails including (but not limited to) rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, busways, automated guideway transit, and people movers. Projects that generally are not considered to be major transportation investments include but are not limited to: Highway projects on principal arterials where access is not limited to public roads only, small scale improvements or extensions (normally less than one mile) on principal arterials with the primary goal of relieving localized safety or operational difficulties, resurfacing, replacement, or rehabilitation of existing principal arterials and equipment, highway projects not located on a principal arterial, and changes in transit routing and scheduling.

Management system means a systematic process, designed to assist decisionmakers in selecting cost effective strategies/actions to improve the efficiency and safety of, and protect the investment in the nation's infrastructure. A management system includes: identification of performance measures; data collection and analysis; determination of needs; evaluation, and selection of appropriate strategies/actions to address the needs; and evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented strategies/actions.

Metropolitan planning area means the geographic area in which the metropolitan transportation planning process required by 23 U.S.C. 134 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act must be carried out.

Metropolitan planning organization (MPO) means the forum for cooperative transportation decisionmaking for the metropolitan planning area. MPOs designated prior to the promulgation of this regulation remain in effect until redesignated in accordance with § 450.106 and nothing in this part is intended to require or encourage such redesignation.

Metropolitan transportation plan means the official intermodal transportation plan that is developed and adopted through the metropolitan transportation planning process for the metropolitan planning area.

Nonattainment area means any geographic region of the United States that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated as a nonattainment area for a transportation related pollutant(s) for which a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) exists.

Non-metropolitan local official means elected and appointed officials of general purpose local government, in non-metropolitan areas, with jurisdiction/responsibility for transportation.

Regionally significant project means a project (other than projects that may be grouped in the STIP/TIP pursuant to § 450.216 and § 450.324) that is on a facility which serves regional transportation needs (such as access to and from the area outside of the region, major activity centers in the region, major planned developments such as new retail malls, sports complexes, etc., or transportation terminals as well as most terminals themselves) and would normally be included in the modeling of a metropolitan area's transportation network, including, as a minimum, all principal arterial highways and all fixed guideway transit facilities that offer a significant alternative to regional highway travel.

State means any one of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.

State Implementation Plan (SIP) means the portion (or portions) of an applicable implementation plan approved or promulgated, or the most recent revision thereof, under sections 110, 301(d) and 175A of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409, 7601, and 7505a).

Statewide transportation improvement program (STIP) means a staged, multiyear, statewide, intermodal program of transportation projects which is consistent with the Statewide transportation plan and planning processes and metropolitan plans, TIPs and processes.

Statewide transportation plan means the official statewide, intermodal transportation plan that is developed through the statewide transportation planning process.

Transportation improvement program (TIP) means a staged, multiyear, intermodal program of transportation projects which is consistent with the metropolitan transportation plan.

Transportation Management Area (TMA) means an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 (as determined by the latest decennial census) or other area when TMA designation is requested by the Governor and the MPO (or affected local officials), and officially designated by the Administrators of the FHWA and the FTA. The TMA designation applies to the entire metropolitan planning area(s).

The purpose of this subpart is to implement 23 U.S.C. 135, which requires each State to carry out a continuing, comprehensive, and intermodal statewide transportation planning process, including the development of a statewide transportation plan and transportation improvement program, that facilitates the efficient, economic movement of people and goods in all areas of the State, including those areas subject to the requirements of 23 U.S.C 134.

§ 450.202Applicability.

The requirements of this subpart are applicable to States and any other agencies/organizations which are responsible for satisfying these requirements.

§ 450.204Definitions.

Except as otherwise provided in subpart A of this part, terms defined in 23 U.S.C. 101(a) are used in this part as so defined.

(4) Development of a statewide transportation plan that considers a range of transportation options designed to meet the transportation needs (both passenger and freight) of the state including all modes and their connections; and

(5) Development of a statewide transportation improvement program (STIP).

(b) The statewide transportation planning process shall be carried out in coordination with the metropolitan planning process required by subpart C of this part and shall consider coordination with planning activities in non-metropolitan areas.

(c) In carrying out statewide transportation planning, the State shall consider, with respect to non-metropolitan areas, the concerns of local elected officials representing units of general purpose local government.

(a) Each State shall, at a minimum, explicitly consider, analyze as appropriate and reflect in planning process products the following factors in conducting its continuing statewide transportation planning process:

(1) The transportation needs (strategies and other results) identified through the management systems required by 23 U.S.C. 303;

(2) Any Federal, State, or local energy use goals, objectives, programs, or requirements;

(3) Strategies for incorporating bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways in appropriate projects throughout the State;

(4) International border crossings and access to ports, airports, intermodal transportation facilities, major freight distribution routes, national parks, recreation and scenic areas, monuments and historic sites, and military installations;

(5) The transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas (areas outside of MPO planning boundaries) through a process that includes consultation with local elected officials with jurisdiction over transportation;

(6) Any metropolitan area plan developed pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 134 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act, 49 U.S.C. app. 1607;

(7) Connectivity between metropolitan planning areas within the State and with metropolitan planning areas in other States;

(8) Recreational travel and tourism;

(9) Any State plan developed pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. (and in addition to plans pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act);

(10) Transportation system management and investment strategies designed to make the most efficient use of existing transportation facilities (including consideration of all transportation modes);

(11) The overall social, economic, energy, and environmental effects of transportation decisions (including housing and community development effects and effects on the human, natural and manmade environments);

(12) Methods to reduce traffic congestion and to prevent traffic congestion from developing in areas where it does not yet occur, including methods which reduce motor vehicle travel, particularly single-occupant motor vehicle travel;

(13) Methods to expand and enhance appropriate transit services and to increase the use of such services (including commuter rail);

(14) The effect of transportation decisions on land use and land development, including the need for consistency between transportation decisionmaking and the provisions of all applicable short-range and long-range land use and development plans (analyses should include projections of economic, demographic, environmental protection, growth management and land use activities consistent with development goals and transportation demand projections);

(15) Strategies for identifying and implementing transportation enhancements where appropriate throughout the State;

(16) The use of innovative mechanisms for financing projects, including value capture pricing, tolls, and congestion pricing;

(17) Preservation of rights-of-way for construction of future transportation projects, including identification of unused rights-of-way which may be needed for future transportation corridors, identification of those corridors for which action is most needed to prevent destruction or loss (including strategies for preventing loss of rights-of-way);

(18) Long-range needs of the State transportation system for movement of persons and goods;

(20) The use of life-cycle costs in the design and engineering of bridges, tunnels, or pavements;

(21) The coordination of transportation plans and programs developed for metropolitan planning areas of the State under 23 U.S.C. 134 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act with the statewide transportation plans and programs developed under this subpart, and the reconciliation of such plans and programs as necessary to ensure connectivity within transportation systems;

(22) Investment strategies to improve adjoining State and local roads that support rural economic growth and tourism development, Federal agency renewable resources management, and multipurpose land management practices, including recreation development; and

(23) The concerns of Indian tribal governments having jurisdiction over lands within the boundaries of the State.

(b) The degree of consideration and analysis of the factors should be based on the scale and complexity of many issues, including transportation problems, land use, employment, economic development, environmental and housing and community development objectives, the extent of overlap between factors and other circumstances statewide or in subareas within the State.

§ 450.210Coordination.

(a) In addition to the coordination required under § 450.208(a)(21), in carrying out the requirements of this subpart, each State, in cooperation with participating organizations (such as MPOs, Indian tribal governments, environmental, resource and permit agencies, public transit operators) shall, to the extent appropriate, provide for a fully coordinated process including coordination of the following:

(1) Data collection, data analysis and evaluation of alternatives for a transit, highway, bikeway, scenic byway, recreational trail, or pedestrian program with any such activities for the other programs;

(2) Plans, such as the statewide transportation plan required under § 450.214, with programs and priorities for transportation projects, such as the STIP;

(3) Data analysis used in development of plans and programs, (for example, information resulting from traffic data analysis, data and plans regarding employment and housing availability, data and plans regarding land use control and community development) with land use projections, with data analysis on issues that are part of public involvement relating to project implementation, and with data analyses done as part of the establishment and maintenance of management systems developed in response to 23 U.S.C. 303;

(4) Consideration of intermodal facilities with land use planning, including land use activities carried out by local, regional, and multistate agencies;

(5) Transportation planning carried out by the State with transportation planning carried out by Indian tribal governments, Federal agencies and local governments, MPOs, large-scale public and private transportation providers, operators of major intermodal terminals and multistate businesses;

(6) Transportation planning carried out by the State with significant transportation-related actions carried out by other agencies for recreation, tourism, and economic development and for the operation of airports, ports, rail terminals and other intermodal transportation facilities;

(7) Public involvement carried out for the statewide planning process with public involvement carried out for the metropolitan planning process;

(8) Public involvement carried out for planning with public involvement carried out for project development;

(9) Transportation planning carried out by the State with Federal, State, and local environmental resource planning that substantially affects transportation actions;

(10) Transportation planning with financial planning;

(11) Transportation planning with analysis of potential corridors for preservation;

(12) Transportation planning with analysis of social, economic, employment, energy, environmental, and housing and community development effects of transportation actions; and

(13) Transportation planning carried out by the State to meet the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 135 with transportation planning to meet other Federal requirements including the State rail plan.

(b) The degree of coordination should be based on the scale and complexity of many issues including transportation problems, land use, employment, economic, environmental, and housing and community development objectives, and other circumstances statewide or in subareas within the State.

§ 450.212Public involvement.

(a) Public involvement processes shall be proactive and provide complete information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and opportunities for early and continuing involvement. The processes shall provide for:

(1) Early and continuing public involvement opportunities throughout the transportation planning and programming process;

(2) Timely information about transportation issues and processes to citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, private providers of transportation, other interested parties and segments of the community affected by transportation plans, programs, and projects;

(3) Reasonable public access to technical and policy information used in the development of the plan and STIP;

(4) Adequate public notice of public involvement activities and time for public review and comment at key decision points, including but not limited to action on the plan and STIP;

(5) A process for demonstrating explicit consideration and response to public input during the planning and program development process;

(6) A process for seeking out and considering the needs of those traditionally underserved by existing transportation systems, such as low-income and minority households which may face challenges accessing employment and other amenities;

(7) Periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all and revision of the process as necessary.

(b) Public involvement activities carried out in a metropolitan area in response to metropolitan planning requirements in § 450.322(c) or § 450.324(c) may by agreement of the State and the MPO satisfy the requirements of this section.

(c) During initial development and major revisions of the statewide transportation plan required under § 450.214, the State shall provide citizens, affected public agencies and jurisdictions, employee representatives of transportation and other affected agencies, private and public providers of transportation, and other interested parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed plan. The proposed plan shall be published, with reasonable notification of its availability, or otherwise made readily available for public review and comment. Likewise, the official statewide transportation plan (see § 450.214(d)) shall be published, with reasonable notification of its availability, or otherwise made readily available for public information.

(d) During development and major revision of the statewide transportation improvement program required under § 450.216, the Governor shall provide citizens, affected public agencies and jurisdictions, employee representatives of transportation or other affected agencies, private providers of transportation, and other interested parties, a reasonable opportunity for review and comment on the proposed program. The proposed program shall be published, with reasonable notification of its availability, or otherwise made readily available for public review and comment. The approved program (see § 450.220(c)) if it differs significantly from the proposed program, shall be published, with reasonable notification of its availability, or otherwise made readily available for public information.

(e) The time provided for public review and comment for minor revisions to the statewide transportation plan or statewide transportation improvement program will be determined by the State and local officials based on the complexity of the revisions.

(f) The State shall, as appropriate, provide for public comment on existing and proposed procedures for public involvement throughout the statewide transportation planning and programming process. As a minimum, the State shall publish procedures and allow 45 days for public review and written comment before the procedures and any major revisions to existing procedures are adopted.

(g) The public involvement processes will be considered by the FHWA and the FTA as they make the planning finding required in § 450.220(b) to assure that full and open access is provided to the decision making process.

(h) The State shall provide for non-metropolitan local official participation. The State shall have a documented process(es) that is separate and discrete from the public involvement process for consulting with non-metropolitan local officials representing units of general purpose local government and/or local officials with responsibility for transportation that provides an opportunity for their participation in the statewide transportation planning process and development of the statewide transportation improvement program.

(i) The State shall review and solicit comments from non-metropolitan local officials and other interested parties for a period of not less than 60 days regarding the effectiveness of the consultation process and proposed modifications within 2 years of process implementation, and thereafter at least once every 5 years. A specific request for comments shall be directed to the State association of counties, State municipal league, regional planning agencies, or directly to non-metropolitan local officials. The State, at its discretion, shall be responsible for determining whether to adopt any proposed modifications. If a proposed modification is not adopted, the State shall make publicly available its reasons for not accepting the proposed modification, including notification to non-metropolitan local officials or their associations.

(a) The State shall develop a statewide transportation plan for all areas of the State.

(b) The plan shall:

(1) Be intermodal (including consideration and provision, as applicable, of elements and connections of and between rail, commercial motor vehicle, waterway, and aviation facilities, particularly with respect to intercity travel) and statewide in scope in order to facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods;

(2) Be reasonably consistent in time horizon among its elements, but cover a period of at least 20 years;

(3) Contain, as an element, a plan for bicycle transportation, pedestrian walkways and trails which is appropriately interconnected with other modes;

(4) Be coordinated with the metropolitan transportation plans required under 23 U.S.C. 134;

(5) Reference, summarize or contain any applicable short range planning studies, strategic planning and/or policy studies, transportation need studies, management system reports and any statements of policies, goals and objectives regarding issues such as transportation, economic development, housing, social and environmental effects, energy, etc., that were significant to development of the plan; and

(6) Reference, summarize or contain information on the availability of financial and other resources needed to carry out the plan.

(c) In developing the plan, the State shall:

(1) Cooperate with the MPOs on the portions of the plan affecting metropolitan planning areas;

(2) Cooperate with the Indian tribal government and the Secretary of the Interior on the portions of the plan affecting areas of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government;

(3) Provide for public involvement as required under § 450.212;

(4) Provide for substantive consideration and analysis as appropriate of specified factors as required under § 450.208; and

(5) Provide for coordination as required under § 450.210.

(d) The State shall provide and carryout a mechanism to establish the document, or documents, comprising the plan as the official statewide transportation plan.

(e) The plan shall be continually evaluated and periodically updated as appropriate using the procedures in this section for development and establishment of the plan.

(f) In developing the statewide transportation plan, affected local officials with responsibility for transportation shall be involved on a consultation basis for the portions of the plan in non-metropolitan areas of the State.

(a) Each State shall develop a statewide transportation improvement program for all areas of the State. In case of difficulties in developing the STIP portion for a particular area, e.g., metropolitan area, Indian tribal lands, etc., a partial STIP covering the rest of the State may be developed. The portion of the STIP in a metropolitan planning area (the metropolitan TIP developed pursuant to subpart C of this part) shall be developed in cooperation with the MPO. To assist this process, the State will need to provide MPOs with estimates of available Federal and State funds which the MPO can utilize in developing the metropolitan TIP. Metropolitan planning area TIPs shall be included without modification in the STIP, directly or by reference, once approved by the MPO and the Governor and after needed conformity findings are made. Metropolitan TIPs in nonattainment and maintenance areas are subject to the FHWA and the FTA conformity findings before their inclusion in the STIP. In nonattainment and maintenance areas outside metropolitan planning areas, Federal findings of conformity must be made prior to placing projects in the STIP. The State shall notify the appropriate MPO, local jurisdictions, Federal land agency, Indian tribal government, etc. when a TIP including projects under the jurisdiction of the agency has been included in the STIP. All title 23 and Federal Transit Act fund recipients will share information as projects in the STIP are implemented. The Governor shall provide for public involvement in development of the STIP as required by § 450.212. In addition, the STIP shall:

(1) Include a list of priority transportation projects proposed to be carried out in the first 3 years of the STIP. Since each TIP is approved by the Governor, the TIP priorities will dictate STIP priorities for each individual metropolitan area. As a minimum, the lists shall group the projects that are to be undertaken in each of the years, e.g., year 1, year 2, year 3;

(2) Cover a period of not less than 3 years, but may at State discretion cover a longer period. If the STIP covers more than 3 years, the projects in the additional years will be considered by the FHWA and the FTA only as informational;

(3) Contain only projects consistent with the statewide plan developed under § 450.214;

(4) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, contain only transportation projects found to conform, or from programs that conform, to the requirements contained in 40 CFR part 51;

(5) Be financially constrained by year and include sufficient financial information to demonstrate which projects are to be implemented using current revenues and which projects are to be implemented using proposed revenue sources while the system as a whole is being adequately operated and maintained. In nonattainment and maintenance areas, projects included in the first two years of the current STIP/TIP shall be limited to those for which funds are available or committed. In the case of proposed funding sources, strategies for ensuring their availability shall be identified;

(v) State planning and research projects funded under 23 U.S.C. 307(c)(1) (except those funded with NHS, STP and minimum allocation (MA) funds that the State and MPO for a metropolitan area agree should be in the TIP and consequently must be in the STIP); and

(7) Contain all regionally significant transportation projects requiring an action by the FHWA or the FTA whether or not the projects are to be funded with title 23, U.S.C. or Federal Transit Act funds, e.g., addition of an interchange to the Interstate System with State, local and/or private funds, demonstration projects not funded under title 23, U.S.C., or the Federal Transit Act. (The STIP should, for information purposes, include all regionally significant transportation projects proposed to be funded with Federal funds other than those administered by the FHWA or the FTA. It should also include, for information purposes, if appropriate and cited in any TIPs, all regionally significant projects, to be funded with non-Federal funds);

(iii) The amount of Federal funds proposed to be obligated during each program year;

(iv) For the first year, the proposed category of Federal funds and source(s) of non-Federal funds;

(v) For the second and third years, the likely category or possible categories of Federal funds and sources of non-Federal funds;

(vi) Identification of the agencies responsible for carrying out the project; and

(9) For non-metropolitan areas, include in the first year only those projects which have been selected in accordance with the project selection requirements in § 450.222(c).

(b) Projects that are not considered to be of appropriate scale for individual identification in a given program year may be grouped by function, work type, and/or geographic area using the applicable classifications under 23 CFR 771.117 (c) and (d) and/or 40 CFR part 51.

(c) Projects in any of the first three years of the STIP may be moved to any other of the first three years of the STIP subject to the project selection requirements of § 450.222.

(d) The STIP may be amended at any time under procedures agreed to by the cooperating parties consistent with the procedures established in this section (for STIP development), in § 450.212 (for public involvement) and in § 450.220 (for the FHWA and the FTA approval).

(e) In developing the statewide transportation improvement program, affected local officials with responsibility for transportation shall be involved on a consultation basis for the portions of the program in non-metropolitan areas of the State.

Funds provided under sections 8, 9, 18, and 26(a)(2) of the Federal Transit Act and 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1), 104(b)(3), 104(f)(3) and 307(c)(1) may be used to accomplish activities in this subpart.

§ 450.220Approvals.

(a) At least every two years, each State shall submit the entire proposed STIP, and amendments as necessary, concurrently to the FHWA and the FTA for joint approval. The State shall certify that the transportation planning process is being carried out in accordance with all applicable requirements of:

(4) The provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, as amended) and U.S. DOT regulations “Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities” (49 CFR parts 27, 37, and 38);

(5) The provisions of 49 CFR part 20 regarding restrictions on influencing certain Federal activities; and

(6) In States containing nonattainment and maintenance areas, sections 174 and 176 (c) and (d) of the Clean Air Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 7504, 7506 (c) and (d)).

(b) The FHWA and the FTA Administrators, in consultation with, where applicable, Federal lands agencies, will review the STIP or amendment and jointly make a finding as to the extent the projects in the STIP are based on a planning process that meets or substantially meets the requirements of title 23, U.S.C., the Federal Transit Act and subparts A, B and C of this part.

(c) If, upon review, the FHWA and the FTA Administrators jointly determine that the STIP or amendment meet, to an acceptable degree, the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 135 and these regulations (including subpart C where a metropolitan TIP is involved), they will approve the STIP. Approval action will take one of the following forms, as appropriate:

(1) Joint approval of the STIP;

(2) Joint approval of the STIP subject to certain corrective actions being taken;

(3) Joint approval of the STIP as the basis for approval of identified categories of projects; and/or

(4) Under special circumstances, joint approval of a partial STIP covering only a portion of the State.

(d) The joint approval period for a new STIP or amended STIP will not exceed two years. Where the State demonstrates that extenuating circumstances will delay the submittal of a new STIP or amended STIP for approval, FHWA and FTA will consider and take appropriate action on requests to extend the approval beyond two years for all or part of the STIP for a limited period of time. Where the request involves projects in a metropolitan planning area(s), the affected MPO(s) must concur in the request and if the delay was due to the development and approval of the TIP, the affected MPO(s) must provide supporting information for the request. If nonattainment and/or maintenance areas are involved, a request for an extension cannot be granted if the conformity determination on the TIP is no longer valid under EPA's conformity regulations (40 CFR part 51).

(e) If, upon review, the FHWA and the FTA Administrators jointly determine that the STIP or amendment does not substantially meet the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 135 and this part for any identified categories of projects, they will not approve the STIP.

(f) The FHWA and the FTA will notify the State of actions taken under this section.

(g) Where necessary in order to maintain or establish operations, the Federal Transit Administrator and/or the Federal Highway Administrator may approve operating assistance for specific projects or programs even though the projects or programs may not be included in an approved STIP.

§ 450.222Project selection for implementation.

(a) Except as provided in §§ 450.220(f) and 450.216(a)(7), only projects included in the Federally approved STIP shall be eligible for funds administered by the FHWA or the FTA.

(b) In metropolitan planning areas, transportation projects requiring title 23 or Federal Transit Act funds administered by the FHWA or the FTA shall be selected in accordance with procedures established pursuant to the project selection portion of the metropolitan planning regulation in subpart C of this part.

(c) Outside metropolitan planning areas, transportation projects undertaken on the National Highway System with title 23 funds and under the bridge and Interstate maintenance programs shall be selected by the State in consultation with the affected local officials. Federal lands highway projects shall be selected in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 204. Other transportation projects undertaken with funds administered by the FHWA shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the affected local officials, and projects undertaken with Federal Transit Act funds shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the appropriate affected local officials and transit operators.

(d) The projects in the first year of an approved STIP shall constitute an “agreed to” list of projects for subsequent scheduling and implementation. No further project selection action is required for the implementing agency to proceed with these projects except that if appropriated Federal funds available are significantly less than the authorized amounts, § 450.332(c) provides for a revised list of “agreed to” projects to be developed upon the request of the State, MPO, or transit operators. If an implementing agency wishes to proceed with a project in the second and third year of the STIP, the specific project selection procedures stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section must be used. Expedited selection procedures which provide for the advancement of projects from the second or third years of the STIP may be used if agreed to by all the parties involved in the selection.

§ 450.224Phase-in of new requirements.

(a) The State shall, by January 1, 1995, identify the official statewide transportation plan, described under § 450.214, to be used as a basis for subsequently approved STIPs. Until such a plan is identified, but no later than January 1, 1995, the State may identify existing plans and policies which can serve as the official interim plan. STIP development shall be based upon a transportation plan which serves as the official plan (including an interim plan, if appropriate, prior to January 1, 1995, provided that all factors identified in § 450.208 are considered).

(b) The State has a period of one year after February 24, 2003 to document and implement the consultation process discussed in § 450.212(h).

The purpose of this subpart is to implement 23 U.S.C. 134 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, which require that a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) be designated for each urbanized area and that the metropolitan area has a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process that results in plans and programs that consider all transportation modes and supports metropolitan community development and social goals. These plans and programs shall lead to the development and operation of an integrated, intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient, economic movement of people and goods.

§ 450.302Applicability.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to agencies involved in the transportation planning, program development, and project selection processes in metropolitan planning areas.

§ 450.304Definitions.

Except as otherwise provided in subpart A of this part, terms defined in 23 U.S.C 101(a) are used in this part as so defined.

(a) Designations of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) made after December 18, 1991, shall be by agreement among the Governor(s) and units of general purpose local governments representing 75 percent of the affected metropolitan population (including the central city or cities as defined by the Bureau of the Census), or in accordance with procedures established by applicable State or local law. To the extent possible, only one MPO shall be designated for each UZA or group of contiguous UZAs. More than one MPO may be designated within an UZA only if the Governor(s) determines that the size and complexity of the UZA make designation of more than one MPO appropriate.

(b) The designation shall clearly identify the policy body that is the forum for cooperative decisionmaking that will be taking the required approval actions as the MPO.

(c) To the extent possible, the MPO designated should be established under specific State legislation, State enabling legislation, or by interstate compact, and shall have authority to carry out metropolitan transportation planning.

(d) Redesignation (designation of a new MPO(s) to replace an existing MPO) shall occur by agreement of the Governor and affected local units of government representing 75 percent of the population in the entire metropolitan area. The central city(ies) must be among the units of local government agreeing to the redesignation.

(e) Nothing in this subpart shall be deemed to prohibit the MPO from utilizing the staff resources of other agencies to carry out selected elements of the planning process.

(f) Existing MPO designations remain valid until a new MPO is redesignated, unless revoked by the Governor and local units of government representing 75 percent of the population in the area served by the existing MPO (the central city(ies) must be among those desiring to revoke the MPO designation), or as otherwise provided under State or local procedures. If the Governor and local officials decide to redesignate an existing MPO, but do not formally revoke the existing MPO designation, the existing MPO remains in effect until a new MPO is formally designated.

(g) Redesignation of an MPO in a multistate metropolitan area requires the approval of the Governor of each State and local officials representing 75 percent of the population in the entire metropolitan planning area. The local officials in the central city(ies) must be among those agreeing to the redesignation.

(h) Redesignation of an MPO covering more than one UZA requires the approval of the Governor and local officials representing 75 percent of the population in the metropolitan planning area covered by the current MPO; the local officials in the central city(ies) in each urbanized area must be among those agreeing to the redesignation.

(i) The voting membership of an MPO policy body designated/redesignated subsequent to December 18, 1991, and serving a TMA, must include representation of local elected officials, officials of agencies that administer or operate major modes or systems of transportation, e.g., transit operators, sponsors of major local airports, maritime ports, rail operators, etc. (including all transportation agencies that were included in the MPO on June 1, 1991), and appropriate State officials. Where agencies that operate other major modes of transportation do not already have a voice on existing MPOs, the MPOs (in cooperation with the States) are encouraged to provide such agencies a voice in the decisionmaking process, including representation/membership on the policy body and/or other appropriate committees. Further, where appropriate, existing MPOs should increase the representation of local elected officials on the policy board and other committees as a means for encouraging their greater involvement in MPO processes. Adding such representation to an MPO will not, in itself, constitute a redesignation action.

(j) Where the metropolitan planning area boundaries for a previously designated MPO need to be expanded, the membership on the MPO policy body and other committees, should be reviewed to ensure that the added area has appropriate representation.

(k) Adding membership (e.g., local elected officials and operators of major modes or systems of transportation, or representatives of newly urbanized areas) to the policy body or expansion of the metropolitan planning area does not automatically require redesignation of the MPO. To the extent possible, it is encouraged that this be done without a formal redesignation. The Governor and MPO shall review the previous MPO designation, State and local law, MPO bylaws, etc., to determine if this can be accomplished without a formal redesignation. If redesignation is considered necessary, the existing MPO will remain in effect until a new MPO is formally designated or the existing designation is formally revoked in accordance with the procedures of this section.

(a) The metropolitan planning area boundary shall, as a minimum, cover the UZA(s) and the contiguous geographic area(s) likely to become urbanized within the twenty year forecast period covered by the transportation plan described in § 450.322 of this part. The boundary may encompass the entire metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the Bureau of the Census. For geographic areas designated as nonattainment or maintenance areas (as created by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA)) for transportation related pollutants under the CAA, the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area shall include at least the boundaries of the nonattainment or maintenance areas, except as otherwise provided by agreement between the MPO and the Governor under the procedures specified in § 450.310(f) of this part. In the absence of a formal agreement between the Governor and the MPO to reduce the metropolitan planning area to an area less than the boundaries of the nonattainment or maintenance area, the entire nonattainment or maintenance area is subject to the applicable provisions of this part. Where a portion of the nonattainment or maintenance area is excluded from the metropolitan planning area boundary, the STP funds suballocated to urbanized areas greater than 200,000 in population shall not be utilized for projects outside the metropolitan planning area boundary.

(b) The metropolitan planning area for a new UZA served by an existing or new MPO shall be established in accordance with these criteria. The current planning area boundaries for previously designated UZAs shall be reviewed and modified if necessary to comply with these criteria.

(c) In addition to the criteria in paragraph (a) of this section, the planning areas currently in use for all transportation modes should be reviewed before establishing the metropolitan planning area boundary. Where appropriate, adjustments should be made to reflect the most comprehensive boundary to foster an effective planning process that ensures connectivity between modes, reduces access disadvantages experienced by modal systems, and promotes efficient overall transportation investment strategies.

(d) Approval of metropolitan planning area boundaries by the FHWA or the FTA is not required. However, metropolitan planning area boundary maps must be submitted to the FHWA and the FTA after their approval by the MPO and the Governor.

§ 450.310Metropolitan planning organization: Agreements.

(a) The responsibilities for cooperatively carrying out transportation planning (including corridor and subarea studies) and programming shall be clearly identified in an agreement or memorandum of understanding between the State and the MPO.

(b) There shall be an agreement between the MPO and operators of publicly owned transit services which specifies cooperative procedures for carrying out transportation planning (including corridor and subarea studies) and programming as required by this subpart.

(c) In nonattainment or maintenances areas, if the MPO is not designated for air quality planning under section 174 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7504), there shall be an agreement between the MPO and the designated agency describing their respective roles and responsibilities for air quality related transportation planning.

(d) To the extent possible, there shall be one cooperative agreement containing the understandings required by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section among the State, MPO, publicly owned operators of mass transportation services, and air quality agencies.

(e) Where the parties involved agree, the requirement for agreements specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section may be satisfied by including the responsibilities and procedures for carrying out a cooperative process in the unified planning work program or a prospectus as defined in § 450.314(c).

(f) If the metropolitan planning area does not include the entire nonattainment or maintenance area, there shall be an agreement among the State department of transportation, State air quality agency, affected local agencies, and the MPO describing the process for cooperative planning and analysis of all projects outside the metropolitan planning area but within the nonattainment or maintenance area. The agreement also must indicate how the total transportation related emissions for the nonattainment or maintenance area, including areas both within and outside the metropolitan planning area, will be treated for the purposes of determining conformity in accordance with the U.S. EPA conformity regulation (40 CFR part 51). The agreement shall address policy mechanisms for resolving conflicts concerning transportation related emissions that may arise between the metropolitan planning area and the portion of the nonattainment or maintenance area outside the metropolitan planning area. Proposals to exclude a portion of the nonattainment or maintenance area from the planning area boundary shall be coordinated with the FHWA, the FTA, the EPA, and the State air quality agency before a final decision is made.

(g) Where more than one MPO has authority within a metropolitan planning area or a nonattainment or maintenance area, there shall be an agreement between the State department(s) of transportation and the MPOs describing how the processes will be coordinated to assure the development of an overall transportation plan for the metropolitan planning area. In metropolitan planning areas that are nonattainment or maintenance areas, the agreement shall include State and local air quality agencies. The agreement shall address policy mechanisms for resolving potential conflicts that may arise between the MPOs, e.g., issues related to the exclusion of a portion of the nonattainment area from the planning area boundary.

(h) For all requirements specified in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section, existing agreements shall be reviewed for compliance and reaffirmed or modified as necessary to ensure participation by all appropriate modes.

(a) The MPO in cooperation with the State and with operators of publicly owned transit services shall be responsible for carrying out the metropolitan transportation planning process. The MPO, the State and transit operator(s) shall cooperatively determine their mutual responsibilities in the conduct of the planning process, including corridor refinement studies, described in §§ 450.316 through 450.318. They shall cooperatively develop the unified planning work program, transportation plan, and transportation improvement program specified in §§ 450.314 through 450.318. In addition, the development of the plan and TIP shall be coordinated with other providers of transportation, e.g., sponsors of regional airports, maritime port operators, rail freight operators, etc.

(b) The MPO shall approve the metropolitan transportation plan and its periodic updates. The MPO and the Governor shall approve the metropolitan transportation improvement program and any amendments.

(c) In nonattainment or maintenance areas, the MPO shall coordinate the development of the transportation plan with the SIP development process including the development of the transportation control measures. The MPO shall develop or assist in developing the transportation control measures.

(d) In nonattainment or maintenance areas for transportation related pollutants, the MPO shall not approve any transportation plan or program which does not conform with the SIP, as determined in accordance with the U.S. EPA conformity regulation (40 CFR Part 51).

(e) If more than one MPO has authority in a metropolitan planning area (including multi-State metropolitan planning areas) or in an area which is designated as nonattainment or maintenance for transportation related pollutants, the MPOs and the Governor(s) shall cooperatively establish the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area (including the twenty year planning horizon and relationship to the nonattainment or maintenance areas) and the respective jurisdictional responsibilities of each MPO. The MPOs shall consult with each other and the State(s) to assure the preparation of integrated plans and transportation improvement programs for the entire metropolitan planning area. An individual MPO plan and program may be developed separately. However, each plan and program must be consistent with the plans and programs of other MPOs in the metropolitan planning area. For the overall metropolitan planning area, the individual MPO planning process shall reflect coordinated data collection, analysis and development. In those areas where this provision is applicable, coordination efforts shall be initiated and the process and outcomes documented in subsequent transmittals of the UPWP and various planning products (the plan, TIP, etc.) to the State, the FHWA, and the FTA.

(f) The Secretary must designate as transportation management areas all UZAs over 200,000 population as determined by the most recent decennial census. The Secretary designated TMAs by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. Copies of this notice may be obtained from the FHWA Metropolitan Planning Division or Office of Planning FTA. The TMAs so designated and those designated subsequently by the FHWA and the FTA (including those designated upon request of the MPO and the Governor) must comply with the special requirements applicable to such areas regarding congestion management systems, project selection, and certification. The TMA designation applies to the entire metropolitan planning area boundary. If a metropolitan planning area encompasses a TMA and other UZA(s), the designation applies to the entire metropolitan planning area regardless of the population of constituent UZAs.

(g) As required by 23 CFR part 500, the required management systems shall be developed cooperatively by the State, the MPOs and transit operators for each metropolitan planning area. In TMAs, the congestion management system will be developed as part of the metropolitan transportation planning process.

(h) The State shall cooperatively participate in the development of metropolitan transportation plans. The relationship of the statewide transportation plan and the metropolitan plan is specified in subpart B of this part.

(i) Where a metropolitan planning area includes Federal public lands -and/or Indian tribal lands, the affected Federal agencies and Indian tribal governments shall be involved appropriately in the development of transportation plans and programs.

(a) In TMAs, the MPO(s) in cooperation with the State and operators of publicly owned transit shall develop unified planning work programs (UPWPs) that meet the requirements of 23 CFR part 420, subpart A, and:

(1) Discuss the planning priorities facing the metropolitan planning area and describe all metropolitan transportation and transportation-related air quality planning activities (including the corridor and subarea studies discussed in § 450.318) anticipated within the area during the next one or two year period, regardless of funding sources or agencies conducting activities, in sufficient detail to indicate who will perform the work, the schedule for completing it and the products that will be produced;

(2) Document planning activities to be performed with funds provided under title 23, U.S.C., and the Federal Transit Act.

(b) Arrangements may be made with the FHWA and the FTA to combine the UPWP requirements with the work program for other Federal sources of planning funds.

(c) The metropolitan transportation planning process may include the development of a prospectus that establishes a multiyear framework within which the UPWP is accomplished. The prospectus may be used to satisfy the requirements of § 450.310 and paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(d) In areas not designated as TMAs, the MPO in cooperation with the State and transit operators, with the approval of the FHWA and the FTA, may prepare a simplified statement of work, in lieu of a UPWP, that describes who will perform the work and the work that will be accomplished using Federal funds. If a simplified statement of work is used, it may be submitted as part of the Statewide planning work program, in accordance with 23 CFR part 420.

§ 450.316Metropolitan transportation planning process: Elements.

(a) Section 134(f) of title 23, U.S.C., and Federal Transit Act section 8(f) (49 U.S.C. app. 1607(f)) list 15 factors that must be considered as part of the planning process for all metropolitan areas. The following factors shall be explicitly considered, analyzed as appropriate, and reflected in the planning process products:

(3) The need to relieve congestion and prevent congestion from occurring where it does not yet occur including:

(i) The consideration of congestion management strategies or actions which improve the mobility of people and goods in all phases of the planning process; and

(ii) In TMAs, a congestion management system that provides for effective management of new and existing transportation facilities through the use of travel demand reduction and operation management strategies (e.g., various elements of IVHS) shall be developed in accordance with § 450.320;

(4) The likely effect of transportation policy decisions on land use and development and the consistency of transportation plans and programs with the provisions of all applicable short- and long-term land use and development plans (the analysis should include projections of metropolitan planning area economic, demographic, environmental protection, growth management, and land use activities consistent with metropolitan and local/central city development goals (community, economic, housing, etc.), and projections of potential transportation demands based on the interrelated level of activity in these areas);

(6) The effects of all transportation projects to be undertaken within the metropolitan planning area, without regard to the source of funding (the analysis shall consider the effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and financing of alternative investments in meeting transportation demand and supporting the overall efficiency and effectiveness of transportation system performance and related impacts on community/central city goals regarding social and economic development, housing, and employment);

(7) International border crossings and access to ports, airports, intermodal transportation facilities, major freight distribution routes, national parks, recreation areas, monuments and historic sites, and military installations (supporting technical efforts should provide an analysis of goods and services movement problem areas, as determined in cooperation with appropriate private sector involvement, including, but not limited to, addressing interconnected transportation access and service needs of intermodal facilities);

(8) Connectivity of roads within metropolitan planning areas with roads outside of those areas;

(9) Transportation needs identified through the use of the management systems required under 23 U.S.C. 303 (strategies identified under each management system will be analyzed during the development of the transportation plan, including its financial component, for possible inclusion in the metropolitan plan and TIP);

(12) The use of life-cycle costs in the design and engineering of bridges, tunnels, or pavement (operating and maintenance costs must be considered in analyzing transportation alternatives);

(13) The overall social, economic, energy, and environmental effects of transportation decisions (including consideration of the effects and impacts of the plan on the human, natural and man-made environment such as housing, employment and community development, consultation with appropriate resource and permit agencies to ensure early and continued coordination with environmental resource protection and management plans, and appropriate emphasis on transportation-related air quality problems in support of the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 109(h), and section 14 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. 1610), section 4(f) of the DOT Act (49 U.S.C. 303) and section 174(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7504(b)));

(14) Expansion, enhancement, and increased use of transit services;

(15) Capital investments that would result in increased security in transit systems; and

(1) Include a proactive public involvement process that provides complete information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and supports early and continuing involvement of the public in developing plans and TIPs and meets the requirements and criteria specified as follows:

(i) Require a minimum public comment period of 45 days before the public involvement process is initially adopted or revised;

(ii) Provide timely information about transportation issues and processes to citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, private providers of transportation, other interested parties and segments of the community affected by transportation plans, programs and projects (including but not limited to central city and other local jurisdiction concerns);

(iii) Provide reasonable public access to technical and policy information used in the development of plans and TIPs and open public meetings where matters related to the Federal-aid highway and transit programs are being considered;

(iv) Require adequate public notice of public involvement activities and time for public review and comment at key decision points, including, but not limited to, approval of plans and TIPs (in nonattainment areas, classified as serious and above, the comment period shall be at least 30 days for the plan, TIP and major amendment(s));

(v) Demonstrate explicit consideration and response to public input received during the planning and program development processes;

(vi) Seek out and consider the needs of those traditionally underserved by existing transportation systems, including but not limited to low-income and minority households;

(vii) When significant written and oral comments are received on the draft transportation plan or TIP (including the financial plan) as a result of the public involvement process or the interagency consultation process required under the U.S. EPA's conformity regulations, a summary, analysis, and report on the disposition of comments shall be made part of the final plan and TIP;

(viii) If the final transportation plan or TIP differs significantly from the one which was made available for public comment by the MPO and raises new material issues which interested parties could not reasonably have foreseen from the public involvement efforts, an additional opportunity for public comment on the revised plan or TIP shall be made available;

(ix) Public involvement processes shall be periodically reviewed by the MPO in terms of their effectiveness in assuring that the process provides full and open access to all;

(x) These procedures will be reviewed by the FHWA and the FTA during certification reviews for TMAs, and as otherwise necessary for all MPOs, to assure that full and open access is provided to MPO decisionmaking processes;

(xi) Metropolitan public involvement processes shall be coordinated with statewide public involvement processes wherever possible to enhance public consideration of the issues, plans, and programs and reduce redundancies and costs;

(2) Be consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Title VI assurance executed by each State under 23 U.S.C. 324 and 29 U.S.C. 794, which ensure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, or physical handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program receiving Federal assistance from the United States Department of Transportation;

(5) Provide for the involvement of local, State, and Federal environment resource and permit agencies as appropriate.

(c) In attainment areas not designated as TMAs simplified procedures for the development of plans and programs, if considered appropriate, shall be proposed by the MPO in cooperation with the State and transit operator, and submitted by the State for approval by the FHWA and the FTA. In developing proposed simplified planning procedures, consideration shall be given to the transportation problems in the area and their complexity, the growth rate of the area (e.g., fast, moderate or slow), the appropriateness of the factors specified for consideration in this subpart including air quality, and the desirability of continuing any planning process that has already been established. Areas experiencing fast growth should give consideration to a planning process that addresses all of the general requirements specified in this subpart. As a minimum, all areas employing a simplified planning process will need to develop a transportation plan to be approved by the MPO and a TIP to be approved by the MPO and the Governor.

(d) The metropolitan transportation planning process shall include preparation of technical and other reports to assure documentation of the development, refinement, and update of the transportation plan. The reports shall be reasonably available to interested parties, consistent with § 450.316(b)(1).

(a) Where the need for a major metropolitan transportation investment is identified, and Federal funds are potentially involved, major investment (corridor or subarea) studies shall be undertaken to develop or refine the plan and lead to decisions by the MPO, in cooperation with participating agencies, on the design concept and scope of the investment. Where the studies have not been completed prior to plan approval, the provisions of § 450.322(b)(8) apply.

(b) When any of the implementing agencies or the MPO wish to initiate a major investment study, a meeting will be convened to determine the extent of the analyses and agency roles in a cooperative process which involves the MPO, the State department of transportation, public transit operators, environmental, resource and permit agencies, local officials, the FHWA and the FTA and where appropriate community development agencies, major governmental housing bodies, and such other related agencies as may be impacted by the proposed scope of analysis. A reasonable opportunity, consistent with § 450.316(b)(1), shall be provided for citizens and interested parties including affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, and private providers of transportation to participate in the cooperative process. This cooperative process shall establish the range of alternatives to be studied, such as alternative modes and technologies (including intelligent vehicle and highway systems), general alignment, number of lanes, the degree of demand management, and operating characteristics.

(c) To the extent appropriate as determined under paragraph (b) of this section, major investment studies shall evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative investments or strategies in attaining local, State and national goals and objectives. The analysis shall consider the direct and indirect costs of reasonable alternatives and such factors as mobility improvements; social, economic, and environmental effects; safety; operating efficiencies; land use and economic development; financing; and energy consumption.

(d) These major investment studies will serve as the “alternatives analyses” required by section 3(i)(1)(A) of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. app. 1602(i)) for certain projects for which discretionary section 3 “New Start” funding is being sought. The studies will also be used as the primary source of information for the other section 3(i)(1)(A) Secretarial findings on cost-effectiveness, local financial commitment and capacity, mobility improvements, environmental benefits, economic development, operating efficiency, etc.

(e) These major investment studies also will, when appropriate, serve as the analysis of demand reduction and operational management strategies pursuant to 23 CFR 500.109(b).

(f) A major investment study will include environmental studies which will be used for environmental documents as described in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this section:

(1) As a minimum the participating agencies will use the major investment study as input to an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment prepared subsequent to the completion of the study. In such a case, the major investment study reports shall document the consideration given to alternatives and their impacts; or

(2) The participating agencies may elect to develop a draft environmental impact statement or environmental assessment as part of the major investment study. At any time after the completion of the study and the inclusion of the major transportation investment in the plan and the TIP the participating agencies may request the development of final environmental decision documents required under NEPA for such major transportation investments, culminating in the execution of a Record of Decision or Finding of No Significant Impact by the FHWA and/or the FTA.

(g) Major investment studies may lead to decisions that modify the project design concept and scope assumed in the plan development process. In this case, the study shall lead to the specification of a project's design concept and scope in sufficient detail to meet the requirements of the U.S. EPA conformity regulations (40 CFR part 51).

(h) Major investment studies are eligible for funds authorized under sections 8, 9 and 26 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. app. 1607, 16072, and 1622) and planning and capital funds apportioned under title 23, U.S.C., and shall be included in the UPWP. If CMAQ, STP, NHS, or other capital funds administered by the FHWA are utilized for this purpose, the study must also be included in the TIP.

(i) Where the environmental process has been completed and a Record of Decision or Finding of No Significant Impact has been signed, § 450.318 does not apply. Where the environmental process has been initiated but not completed, the FHWA and the FTA shall be consulted on appropriate modifications to meet the requirements of this section.

(a) Within all metropolitan areas, congestion, public transportation, and intermodal management systems, to the extent appropriate, shall be part of the metropolitan transportation planning process required under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 5303-5305.

(b) In TMAs designated as nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide, Federal funds may not be programmed for any project that will result in a significant increase in carrying capacity for single occupant vehicles (a new general purpose highway on a new location or adding general purpose lanes, with the exception of safety improvements or the elimination of bottlenecks) unless the project results from a congestion management system (CMS) meeting the requirements of 23 CFR part 500. Such projects shall incorporate all reasonably available strategies to manage the SOV facility effectively (or to facilitate its management in the future). Other travel demand reduction and operational management strategies, as appropriate for the corridor, but not appropriate for incorporation into the SOV facility itself, shall be committed to by the State and the MPO for implementation in a timely manner, but no later than the completion date for the SOV project. Projects that had advanced beyond the NEPA stage prior to April 6, 1992, and which are actively advancing to implementation, e.g., right-of-way acquisition has been approved, shall be deemed programmed and not subject to this provision.

(c) In TMAs, the planning process must include the development of a CMS that provides for effective management of new and existing transportation facilities through the use of travel demand reduction and operational management strategies and meets the requirements of 23 CFR part 500.

(d) The effectiveness of the management systems in enhancing transportation investment decisions and improving the overall efficiency of the metropolitan area's transportation systems and facilities shall be evaluated periodically, preferably as part of the metropolitan planning process.

(a) The metropolitan transportation planning process shall include the development of a transportation plan addressing at least a twenty-year planning horizon. The plan shall include both long-range and short-range strategies/actions that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. The transportation plan shall be reviewed and updated at least triennially in nonattainment and maintenance areas and at least every five years in attainment areas to conform its validity and consistency with current and forecasted transportation and land use conditions and trends and to extend the forecast period, except that the transportation plan for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council that was reviewed and updated on September 30, 1999, shall be reviewed and updated no later than September 30, 2005. The transportation plan must be approved by the MPO.

(b) In addition, the plan shall:

(1) Identify the projected transportation demand of persons and goods in the metropolitan planning area over the period of the plan;

(4) Reflect the consideration given to the results of the management systems, including in TMAs that are nonattainment areas for carbon monoxide and ozone, identification of SOV projects that result from a congestion management system that meets the requirements of 23 CFR part 500;

(5) Assess capital investment and other measures necessary to preserve the existing transportation system (including requirements for operational improvements, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of existing and future major roadways, as well as operations, maintenance, modernization, and rehabilitation of existing and future transit facilities) and make the most efficient use of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and enhance the mobility of people and goods;

(6) Include design concept and scope descriptions of all existing and proposed transportation facilities in sufficient detail, regardless of the source of funding, in nonattainment and maintenance areas to permit conformity determinations under the U.S. EPA conformity regulations at 40 CFR part 51. In all areas, all proposed improvements shall be described in sufficient detail to develop cost estimates;

(7) Reflect a multimodal evaluation of the transportation, socioeconomic, environmental, and financial impact of the overall plan, including all major transportation investments in accordance with § 450.318;

(8) For major transportation investments for which analyses are not complete, indicate that the design concept and scope (mode and alignment) have not been fully determined and will require further analysis. The plan shall identify such study corridors and subareas and may stipulate either a set of assumptions (assumed alternatives) concerning the proposed improvements or a no-build condition pending the completion of a corridor or subarea level analysis under § 450.318. In nonattainment and maintenance areas, the set of assumed alternatives shall be in sufficient detail to permit plan conformity determinations under the U.S. EPA conformity regulations (40 CFR part 51);

(9) Reflect, to the extent that they exist, consideration of: the area's comprehensive long-range land use plan and metropolitan development objectives; national, State, and local housing goals and strategies, community development and employment plans and strategies, and environmental resource plans; local, State, and national goals and objectives such as linking low income households with employment opportunities; and the area's overall social, economic, environmental, and energy conservation goals and objectives;

(11) Include a financial plan that demonstrates the consistency of proposed transportation investments with already available and projected sources of revenue. The financial plan shall compare the estimated revenue from existing and proposed funding sources that can reasonably be expected to be available for transportation uses, and the estimated costs of constructing, maintaining and operating the total (existing plus planned) transportation system over the period of the plan. The estimated revenue by existing revenue source (local, State, and Federal and private) available for transportation projects shall be determined and any shortfalls identified. Proposed new revenues and/or revenue sources to cover shortfalls shall be identified, including strategies for ensuring their availability for proposed investments. Existing and proposed revenues shall cover all forecasted capital, operating, and maintenance costs. All cost and revenue projections shall be based on the data reflecting the existing situation and historical trends. For nonattainment and maintenance areas, the financial plan shall address the specific financial strategies required to ensure the implementation of projects and programs to reach air quality compliance.

(c) There must be adequate opportunity for public official (including elected officials) and citizen involvement in the development of the transportation plan before it is approved by the MPO, in accordance with the requirements of § 450.316(b)(1). Such procedures shall include opportunities for interested parties (including citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, and private providers of transportation) to be involved in the early stages of the plan development/update process. The procedures shall include publication of the proposed plan or other methods to make it readily available for public review and comment and, in nonattainment TMAs, an opportunity for at least one formal public meeting annually to review planning assumptions and the plan development process with interested parties and the general public. The procedures also shall include publication of the approved plan or other methods to make it readily available for information purposes.

(d) In nonattainment and maintenance areas for transportation related pollutants, the FHWA and the FTA, as well as the MPO, must make a conformity determination on any new/revised plan in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the EPA conformity regulations (40 CFR part 51).

(e) Although transportation plans do not need to be approved by the FHWA or the FTA, copies of any new/revised plans must be provided to each agency.

(a) The metropolitan transportation planning process shall include development of a transportation improvement program (TIP) for the metropolitan planning area by the MPO in cooperation with the State and public transit operators.

(b) The TIP must be updated at least every two years and approved by the MPO and the Governor. The frequency and cycle for updating the TIP must be compatible with the STIP development and approval process. Since the TIP becomes part of the STIP, the TIP lapses when the FHWA and FTA approval for the STIP lapses. In the case of extenuating circumstances, FHWA and FTA will consider and take appropriate action on requests to extend the STIP approval period for all or part of the STIP in accordance with § 450.220(d). Although metropolitan TIPs, unlike statewide TIPs, do not need to be approved by the FHWA or the FTA, copies of any new or amended TIPs must be provided to each agency. Additionally, in nonattainment and maintenance areas for transportation related pollutants, the FHWA and the FTA, as well as the MPO, must make a conformity determination on any new or amended TIPs (unless the amendment consists entirely of exempt projects) in accordance with the Clean Air Act requirements and the EPA conformity regulations (40 CFR part 51).

(c) There must be reasonable opportunity for public comment in accordance with the requirements of § 450.316(b)(1) and, in nonattainment TMAs, an opportunity for at least one formal public meeting during the TIP development process. This public meeting may be combined with the public meeting required under § 450.322(c). The proposed TIP shall be published or otherwise made readily available for review and comment. Similarly, the approved TIP shall be published or otherwise made readily available for information purposes.

(d) The TIP shall cover a period of not less than 3 years, but may cover a longer period if it identifies priorities and financial information for the additional years. The TIP must include a priority list of projects to be carried out in the first three years. As a minimum, the priority list shall group the projects that are to be undertaken in each of the years, i.e., year 1, year 2, year 3. In nonattainment and maintenance areas, the TIP shall give priority to eligible TCMs identified in the approved SIP in accordance with the U.S. EPA conformity regulation (40 CFR part 51) and shall provide for their timely implementation.

(e) The TIP shall be financially constrained by year and include a financial plan that demonstrates which projects can be implemented using current revenue sources and which projects are to be implemented using proposed revenue sources (while the existing transportation system is being adequately operated and maintained). The financial plan shall be developed by the MPO in cooperation with the State and the transit operator. The State and the transit operator must provide MPOs with estimates of available Federal and State funds which the MPOs shall utilize in developing financial plans. It is expected that the State would develop this information as part of the STIP development process and that the estimates would be refined through this process. Only projects for which construction and operating funds can reasonably be expected to be available may be included. In the case of new funding sources, strategies for ensuring their availability shall be identified. In developing the financial analysis, the MPO shall take into account all projects and strategies funded under title 23, U.S.C., and the Federal Transit Act, other Federal funds, local sources, State assistance, and private participation. In nonattainment and maintenance areas, projects included for the first two years of the current TIP shall be limited to those for which funds are available or committed.

(f) The TIP shall include:

(1) All transportation projects, or identified phases of a project, (including pedestrian walkways, bicycle transportation facilities and transportation enhancement projects) within the metropolitan planning area proposed for funding under title 23, U.S.C., (including Federal Lands Highway projects) and the Federal Transit Act, excluding safety projects funded under 23 U.S.C. 402, emergency relief projects (except those involving substantial functional, locational and capacity changes), and planning and research activities (except those funded with NHS, STP, and/or MA funds). Planning and research activities funded with NHS, STP and/or MA funds, other than those used for major investment studies, may be excluded from the TIP by agreement of the State and the MPO;

(2) Only projects that are consistent with the transportation plan;

(3) All regionally significant transportation projects for which an FHWA or the FTA approval is required whether or not the projects are to be funded with title 23, U.S.C., or Federal Transit Act funds, e.g., addition of an interchange to the Interstate System with State, local, and/or private funds, demonstration projects not funded under title 23, U.S.C., or the Federal Transit Act, etc.;

(4) For informational purposes and air quality analysis in nonattainment and maintenance areas, all regionally significant transportation projects proposed to be funded with Federal funds, including intermodal facilities, not covered in paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(3) of this section; and

(5) For informational purposes and air quality analysis in nonattainment and maintenance areas, all regionally significant projects to be funded with non-Federal funds.

(g) With respect to each project under paragraph (f) of this section the TIP shall include:

(3) The amount of Federal funds proposed to be obligated during each program year;

(4) Proposed source of Federal and non-Federal funds;

(5) Identification of the recipient/subrecipient and State and local agencies responsible for carrying out the project;

(6) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, identification of those projects which are identified as TCMs in the applicable SIP; and

(7) In areas with Americans with Disabilities Act required Paratransit and key station plans, identification of those projects which will implement the plans.

(h) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, projects included shall be specified in sufficient detail (design concept and scope) to permit air quality analysis in accordance with the U.S. EPA conformity requirements (40 CFR part 51).

(i) Projects proposed for FHWA and/or FTA funding that are not considered by the State and MPO to be of appropriate scale for individual identification in a given program year may be grouped by function, geographic area, and work type using applicable classifications under 23 CFR 771.117 (c) and (d). In nonattainment and maintenance areas, classifications must be consistent with the exempt project classifications contained in the U.S. EPA conformity requirements (40 CFR part 51).

(j) Projects utilizing Federal funds that have been allocated to the area pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(3)(E) shall be identified.

(k) The total Federal share of projects included in the TIP proposed for funding under section 9 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. app. 1607a) may not exceed section 9 authorized funding levels available to the area for the program year.

(l) Procedures or agreements that distribute suballocated Surface Transportation Program or section 9 funds to individual jurisdictions or modes within the metropolitan area by predetermined percentages or formulas are inconsistent with the legislative provisions that require MPOs in cooperation with the State and transit operators to develop a prioritized and financially constrained TIP and shall not be used unless they can be clearly shown to be based on considerations required to be addressed as part of the planning process.

(m) For the purpose of including Federal Transit Act section 3 funded projects in a TIP the following approach shall be followed:

(1) The total Federal share of projects included in the first year of the TIP shall not exceed levels of funding committed to the area; and

(2) The total Federal share of projects included in the second, third and/or subsequent years of the TIP may not exceed levels of funding committed, or reasonably expected to be available, to the area.

(n) As a management tool for monitoring progress in implementing the transportation plan, the TIP shall:

(1) Identify the criteria and process for prioritizing implementation of transportation plan elements (including intermodal trade-offs) for inclusion in the TIP and any changes in priorities from previous TIPs;

(2) List major projects from the previous TIP that were implemented and identify any significant delays in the planned implementation of major projects;

(3) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, describe the progress in implementing any required TCMs, including the reasons for any significant delays in the planned implementation and strategies for ensuring their advancement at the earliest possible time; and

(4) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, include a list of all projects found to conform in a previous TIP and are now part of the base case for the purpose of air quality conformity analyses. Projects shall be included in this list until construction or acquisition has been fully authorized, except when a three-year period has elapsed subsequent to the NEPA approval without any major action taking place to advance the project.

(o) In order to maintain or establish operations, in the absence of an approved metropolitan TIP, the FTA and/or the FHWA Administrators, as appropriate, may approve operating assistance.

§ 450.326Transportation improvement program: Modification.

The TIP may be modified at any time consistent with the procedures established in this part for its development and approval. In nonattainment or maintenance areas for transportation related pollutants if the TIP is amended by adding or deleting projects which contribute to and/or reduce transportation related emissions or replaced with a new TIP, new conformity determinations by the MPO and the FHWA and the FTA will be necessary. Public involvement procedures consistent with § 450.316(b)(1) shall be utilized in amending the TIP, except that these procedures are not required for TIP amendments that only involve projects of the type covered in § 450.324(i).

(a) After approval by the MPO and the Governor, the TIP shall be included without modification, directly or by reference, in the STIP program required under 23 U.S.C. 135 and consistent with § 450.220, except that in nonattainment and maintenance areas, a conformity finding by the FHWA and the FTA must be made before it is included in the STIP. After approval by the MPO and the Governor, a copy shall be provided to the FHWA and the FTA.

(b) The State shall notify the appropriate MPO and Federal Lands Highways Program agencies, e.g., Bureau of Indian Affairs and/or National Park Service, when a TIP including projects under the jurisdiction of these agencies has been included in the STIP.

(a) The FHWA and the FTA must jointly find that each metropolitan TIP is based on a continuing, comprehensive transportation process carried on cooperatively by the States, MPOs and transit operators in accordance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 134 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. app. 1607). This finding shall be based on the self-certification statement submitted by the State and MPO under § 450.334 and upon other reviews as deemed necessary by the FHWA and the FTA.

(b) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, the FHWA and the FTA must also jointly find that the metropolitan TIP conforms with the adopted SIP and that priority has been given to the timely implementation of transportation control measures contained in the SIP in accordance with 40 CFR part 51. As part of their review in nonattainment areas requiring TCMs, the FHWA and the FTA will specifically consider any comments relating to the financial plans for the plan and TIP contained in the summary of significant comments required under § 450.316(b). If the TIP is found to be in nonconformance with the SIP, the TIP shall be returned to the Governor and the MPO with the joint finding. If the TIP is found to conform with the SIP, the Governor/MPO shall be notified of the joint finding. After the FHWA and the FTA find the TIP to be in conformance, the TIP shall be incorporated, without modification, into the STIP, directly or by reference.

§ 450.332Project selection for implementation.

(a) In areas not designated as TMAs and when § 450.332(c) does not apply, projects to be implemented using title 23 funds other than Federal lands projects or Federal Transit Act funds shall be selected by the State and/or the transit operator, in cooperation with the MPO from the approved metropolitan TIP. Federal Lands Highways program projects shall be selected in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 204.

(b) In areas designated as TMAs where § 450.332(c) does not apply, all title 23 and Federal Transit Act funded projects, except projects on the NHS and projects funded under the bridge, interstate maintenance, and Federal Lands Highways programs, shall be selected by the MPO in consultation with the State and transit operator from the approved metropolitan TIP and in accordance with the priorities in the approved metropolitan TIP. Projects on the NHS, and projects funded under the bridge and Interstate maintenance programs shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the MPO, from the approved metropolitan TIP. Federal Lands Highway Program projects shall be selected in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 204.

(c) Once a TIP that meets the requirements of § 450.324 has been developed and approved, the first year of the TIP shall constitute an “agreed to” list of projects for project selection purposes and no further project selection action is required for the implementing agency to proceed with projects, except where the appropriated Federal funds available to the metropolitan planning area are significantly less than the authorized amounts. In this case, a revised “agreed to” list of projects shall be jointly developed by the MPO, State, and the transit operator if requested by the MPO, State, or the transit operator. If the State or transit operator wishes to proceed with a project in the second or third year of the TIP, the specific project selection procedures stated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be used unless the MPO, State, and transit operator jointly develop expedited project selection procedures to provide for the advancement of projects from the second or third year of the TIP.

(d) Projects not included in the Federally approved STIP will not be eligible for funding with title 23, U.S.C., or Federal Transit Act funds.

(e) In nonattainment and maintenance areas, priority will be given to the timely implementation of TCMs contained in the applicable SIP in accordance with the U.S. EPA conformity regulations at 40 CFR part 51.

§ 450.334Metropolitan transportation planning process: Certification.

(a) The State and the MPO shall annually certify to the FHWA and the FTA that the planning process is addressing the major issues facing the area and is being conducted in accordance with all applicable requirements of:

(5) The provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, as amended) and U.S. DOT regulations “Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities” (49 CFR parts 27, 37, and 38).

(b) The FHWA and the FTA jointly will review and evaluate the transportation planning process for each TMA (as appropriate but no less than once every three years) to determine if the process meets the requirements of this subpart.

(c) In TMAs that are nonattainment or maintenance areas for transportation related pollutants, the FHWA and the FTA will also review and evaluate the transportation planning process to assure that the MPO has an adequate process to ensure conformity of plans and programs in accordance with procedures contained in 40 CFR part 51.

(d) Upon the review and evaluation conducted under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, if the FHWA and the FTA jointly determine that the transportation planning process in a TMA meets or substantially meets the requirements of this part, they will take one of the following actions, as appropriate:

(3) Jointly certify the planning process as the basis for approval of only those categories of programs or projects that the Administrators may jointly determine and subject to certain specified corrective actions being taken.

(e) A certification action under this section will remain in effect for three years unless a new certification determination is made sooner.

(f) If, upon the review and evaluation conducted under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the FHWA and the FTA jointly determine that the transportation planning process in a TMA does not substantially meet the requirements, they may take the following action as appropriate, if after September 30, 1993, the transportation planning process is not certified:

(1) Withhold in whole or in part the apportionment attributed to the relevant metropolitan planning area under 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(3), capital funds apportioned under section 9 of the Federal Transit Act, and section 3 funds under the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. 1607(a)); or

(2) Withhold approval of all or certain categories of projects.

(g) If a transportation planning process remains uncertified for more than two consecutive years after September 30, 1994, 20 percent of the apportionment attributed to the metropolitan planning area under 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(3) and capital funds apportioned under the formula program of section 9 of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. app. 1607a) will be withheld.

(h) The State and the MPO shall be notified of the actions taken under paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section. Upon full, joint certification by the FHWA and the FTA, all funds withheld will be restored to the metropolitan area, unless they have lapsed.

§ 450.336Phase-in of new requirements.

(a) Except for reflecting the consideration given the results of the management systems, the planning process and plans in nonattainment areas requiring TCMs shall comply, to the extent possible, with the requirements of this subpart by October 1, 1994. All other metropolitan areas shall comply to the extent possible with the requirements of this subpart by December 18, 1994. Where time does not permit a quantitative analysis of certain factors, a qualitative analysis of those factors will be acceptable. If a forecast period of less than twenty years is acceptable for SIP development and air quality conformity purposes, that same time period will be acceptable for transportation planning. The initial plan update shall be financially feasible, taking into account capital costs and the funds reasonably available for capital improvements, as well as addressing to the extent possible the costs of and revenues available for operating and maintenance of the transportation system. Where TCMs are required, the plan update process shall be coordinated with the process for developing TCMs. The planning process for subsequent updates of the plan and the updated plans shall comply with the requirements of this subpart. Plan updates performed in all areas must consider the results of the management systems (specified in 23 CFR part 500) as they become available. The plan shall reflect this consideration.

(b)(1) During the period prior to the full implementation of the CMS in a TMA, the MPO in cooperation with the State, the public transit operators, and other operators of major modes of transportation shall identify the location of the most serious congestion problems in the metropolitan area and proceed with the development of actions to address these problems.

(2) Prior to the full implementation of a CMS, an adequate interim CMS in a TMA designated as nonattainment for carbon monoxide and/or ozone shall, as a minimum, include a process that results in an appropriate analysis of all reasonably available (including multimodal) travel demand reduction and operational management strategies for the corridor in which a project that will result in a significant increase in SOV capacity is proposed. This analysis must demonstrate how far such strategies can go in eliminating the need for additional SOV capacity in the corridor. If the analysis demonstrates that additional SOV capacity is warranted, then all reasonable strategies to manage the facility effectively (or to facilitate its management in the future) shall be incorporated into the proposed facility. Other travel demand reduction and operational management strategies appropriate for the corridor, but not appropriate for incorporation into the SOV facility itself must be committed to by the State and the MPO for implementation in a timely manner but no later than completion of construction of the SOV facility. If the area does not already have a traffic management and carpool/vanpool program, the establishment of such programs must be a part of the commitment.

(3) In TMAs that are nonattainment for carbon monoxide and/or ozone, the MPO, a State and/or transit operator may not advance a project utilizing Federal funds that provides a significant capacity increase for SOVs (adding general purpose lanes, with the exception of safety improvements or the elimination of bottlenecks, or a new highway on a new location) beyond the NEPA process unless an interim CMS is in place that meets the criteria in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section and the project results from this interim CMS.

(4) Projects that are part of or consistent with a State mandated congestion management system/plan are not subject to the requirements in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section.

(5) Projects advanced beyond the NEPA process as of April 6, 1992 and which are being implemented, e.g., right-of-way acquisition has been approved, will be deemed to be programmed and not subject to this requirement.

The purpose of this part is to prescribe the policies and procedures followed in identifying and reporting public road mileage for utilization in the statutory formula for the apportionment of highway safety funds under 23 U.S.C. 402(c).

§ 460.2Definitions.

As used in this part:

(a) Public road means any road under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel.

(b) Public authority means a Federal, State, county, town, or township, Indian tribe, municipal or other local government or instrumentality thereof, with authority to finance, build, operate or maintain toll or toll-free highway facilities.

(c) Open to public travel means that the road section is available, except during scheduled periods, extreme weather or emergency conditions, passable by four-wheel standard passenger cars, and open to the general public for use without restrictive gates, prohibitive signs, or regulation other than restrictions based on size, weight, or class of registration. Toll plazas of public toll roads are not considered restrictive gates.

(d) Maintenance means the preservation of the entire highway, including surfaces, shoulders, roadsides, structures, and such traffic control devices as are necessary for its safe and efficient utilization.

(e) State means any one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. For the purpose of the application of 23 U.S.C. 402 on Indian reservations, State and Governor of a State include the Secretary of the Interior.

§ 460.3Procedures.

(a) General requirements. 23 U.S.C. 402(c) provides that funds authorized to carry out section 402 shall be apportioned according to a formula based on population and public road mileage of each State. Public road mileage shall be determined as of the end of the calendar year preceding the year in which the funds are apportioned and shall be certified to by the Governor of the State or his designee and subject to the approval of the Federal Highway Administrator.

(b) State public road mileage. Each State must annually submit a certification of public road mileage within the State to the Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator by the date specified by the Division Administrator. Public road mileage on Indian reservations within the State shall be identified and included in the State mileage and in computing the State's apportionment.

(c) Indian reservation public road mileage. The Secretary of the Interior or his designee will submit a certification of public road mileage within Indian reservations to the Federal Highway Administrator by June 1 of each year.

(d) Action by the Federal Highway Administrator. (1) The certification of Indian reservation public road mileage, and the State certifications of public road mileage together with comments thereon, will be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administrator. He will make a final determination of the public road mileage to be used as the basis for apportionment of funds under 23 U.S.C. 402(c). In any instance in which the Administrator's final determination differs from the public road mileage certified by a State or the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator will advise the State or the Secretary of the Interior of his final determination and the reasons therefor.

(2) If a State fails to submit a certification of public road mileage as required by this part, the Federal Highway Administrator may make a determination of the State's public road mileage for the purpose of apportioning funds under 23 U.S.C. 402(c). The State's public road mileage determined by the Administrator under this subparagraph may not exceed 90 percent of the State's public road mileage utilized in determining the most recent apportionment of funds under 23 U.S.C. 402(c).

Pt. 470PART 470—HIGHWAY SYSTEMSSubpart A—Federal-aid Highway SystemsSec.470.101Purpose.470.103Definitions.470.105Urban area boundaries and highway functional classification.470.107Federal-aid highway systems.470.109System procedures—General.470.111Interstate System procedures.470.113National Highway System procedures.470.115Approval authority.Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 470—Guidance Criteria for Evaluating Requests for Interstate System Designations under 23 U.S.C. 139 (a) and (b)Appendix B to Subpart A of Part 470—Designation of Segments of Section 332(a)(2) Corridors as Parts of the Interstate SystemAppendix C to Subpart A of Part 470—Policy for the Signing and Numbering of Future Interstate Corridors Designated by Section 332 of the NHS Designation Act of 1995 or Designated Under 23 U.S.C. 139(b)Appendix D to Subpart A of Part 470—Guidance Criteria for Evaluating Requests for Modifications to the National Highway SystemSubparts B-C [Reserved]Authority:

This part sets forth policies and procedures relating to the identification of Federal-aid highways, the functional classification of roads and streets, the designation of urban area boundaries, and the designation of routes on the Federal-aid highway systems.

§ 470.103Definitions.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, terms defined in 23 U.S.C. 101(a) are used in this part as so defined.

Consultation means that one party confers with another identified party and, prior to taking action(s), considers that party's views.

Cooperation means that the parties involved in carrying out the planning, programming and management systems processes work together to achieve a common goal or objective.

Coordination means the comparison of the transportation plans, programs, and schedules of one agency with related plans, programs, and schedules of other agencies or entities with legal standing, and adjustment of plans, programs, and schedules to achieve general consistency.

Federal-aid highway systems means the National Highway System and the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (the “Interstate System”).

Federal-aid highways means highways on the Federal-aid highway systems and all other public roads not classified as local roads or rural minor collectors.

Governor means the chief executive of the State and includes the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Metropolitan planning organization (MPO) means the forum for cooperative transportation decisionmaking for the metropolitan planning area in which the metropolitan transportation planning process required by 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 5303-5305 must be carried out.

Responsible local officials means—

(1) In urbanized areas, principal elected officials of general purpose local governments acting through the Metropolitan Planning Organization designated by the Governor, or

(2) In rural areas and urban areas not within any urbanized area, principal elected officials of general purpose local governments.

State means any one of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or, for purposes of functional classification of highways, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

§ 470.105Urban area boundaries and highway functional classification.

(a) Urban area boundaries. Routes on the Federal-aid highway systems may be designated in both rural and urban areas. Guidance for determining the boundaries of urbanized and nonurbanized urban areas is provided in the “Federal-Aid Policy Guide,” Chapter 4 [G 4063.0], dated December 9, 1991. 1

1 The “Federal-aid Policy Guide” is available for inspection and copying as prescribed in 49 CFR part 7, Appendix D.

(b) Highway Functional Classification. (1) The State transportation agency shall have the primary responsibility for developing and updating a statewide highway functional classification in rural and urban areas to determine functional usage of the existing roads and streets. Guidance criteria and procedures are provided in the FHWA publication “Highway Functional Classification—Concepts, Criteria and Procedures.” 2 The State shall cooperate with responsible local officials, or appropriate Federal agency in the case of areas under Federal jurisdiction, in developing and updating the functional classification.

2 This publication, revised in March 1989, is available on request to the FHWA, Office of Environment and Planning, HEP-10, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

(2) The results of the functional classification shall be mapped and submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval and when approved shall serve as the official record for Federal-aid highways and the basis for designation of the National Highway System.

§ 470.107Federal-aid highway systems.

(a) Interstate System. (1) The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Interstate System) shall consist of routes of highest importance to the Nation, built to the uniform geometric and construction standards of 23 U.S.C. 109(h), which connect, as directly as practicable, the principal metropolitan areas, cities, and industrial centers, including important routes into, through, and around urban areas, serve the national defense and, to the greatest extent possible, connect at suitable border points with routes of continental importance in Canada and Mexico.

(2) The portion of the Interstate System designated under 23 U.S.C. 103 (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) shall not exceed 69,230 kilometers (43,000 miles). Additional Interstate System segments are permitted under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 139 (a) and (c) and section 1105(e)(5)(A) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, as amended.

(b) National Highway System. (1) The National Highway System shall consist of interconnected urban and rural principal arterials and highways (including toll facilities) which serve major population centers, international border crossings, ports, airports, public transportation facilities, other intermodal transportation facilities and other major travel destinations; meet national defense requirements; and serve interstate and interregional travel. All routes on the Interstate System are a part of the National Highway System.

(2) The National Highway System shall not exceed 286,983 kilometers (178,250 miles).

(3) The National Highway System shall include the Strategic Highway Corridor Network (STRAHNET) and its highway connectors to major military installations, as designated by the Administrator in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and the States. The STRAHNET includes highways which are important to the United States strategic defense policy and which provide defense access, continuity, and emergency capabilities for the movement of personnel, materials, and equipment in both peace time and war time.

(4) The National Highway System shall include all high priority corridors identified in section 1105(c) of the ISTEA.

§ 470.109System procedures—General.

(a) The State transportation agency, in consultation with responsible local officials, shall have the responsibility for proposing to the Federal Highway Administration all official actions regarding the designation, or revision, of the Federal-aid highway systems.

(b) The routes of the Federal-aid highway systems shall be proposed by coordinated action of the State transportation agencies where the routes involve State-line connections.

(c) The designation of routes on the Federal-aid highway systems shall be in accordance with the planning process required, pursuant to the provisions at 23 U.S.C. 135, and, in urbanized areas, the provisions at 23 U.S.C. 134(a). The State shall cooperate with local and regional officials. In urbanized areas, the local officials shall act through the metropolitan planning organizations designated for such areas under 23 U.S.C. 134.

(d) In areas under Federal jurisdiction, the designation of routes on the Federal-aid highway systems shall be coordinated with the appropriate Federal agency.

§ 470.111Interstate System procedures.

(a) Proposals for system actions on the Interstate System shall include a route description and a statement of justification. Proposals shall also include statements regarding coordination with adjoining States on State-line connections, with responsible local officials, and with officials of areas under Federal jurisdiction.

(b) Proposals for Interstate or future Interstate designation under 23 U.S.C. 139(a) or (b), as logical additions or connections, shall consider the criteria contained in appendix A of this subpart. For designation as a part of the Interstate system, 23 U.S.C. 139(a) requires that a highway meet all the standards of a highway on the Interstate System, be a logical addition or connection to the Interstate System, and have the affirmative recommendation of the State or States involved. For designation as a future part of the Interstate System, 23 U.S.C. 139(b) requires that a highway be a logical addition or connection to the Interstate System, have the affirmative recommendation of the State or States involved, and have the written agreement of the State or States involved that such highway will be constructed to meet all the standards of a highway on the Interstate System within twelve years of the date of the agreement between the FHWA Administrator and the State or States involved. Such highways must also be on the National Highway System.

(c) Proposals for Interstate designation under 23 U.S.C. 139(c) shall pertain only to Alaska or Puerto Rico. For designation as parts of the Interstate System, 23 U.S.C. 139(c) requires that highway segments be in States which have no Interstate System; be logical components to a system serving the State's principal cities, national defense needs and military installations, and traffic generated by rail, water, and air transportation modes; and have been constructed to the geometric and construction standards adequate for current and probable future traffic demands and the needs of the locality of the segment. Such highways must also be on the National Highway System.

(d) Routes proposed for Interstate designation under section 332(a)(2) of the NHS Designation Act of 1995 (NHS Act) shall be constructed to Interstate standards and connect to the Interstate System. Proposals shall consider the criteria contained in appendix B of this subpart.

(e) Proposals for Interstate route numbering shall be submitted by the State transportation agency to the Route Numbering Committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

(f) Signing of corridors federally designated as future Interstate routes can follow the criteria contained in appendix C of this subpart. No law, rule, regulation, map, document, or other record of the United States, or of any State or political subdivision thereof, shall refer to any highway under 23 U.S.C. 139, nor shall any such highway be signed or marked, as a highway on the Interstate System until such time as such highway is constructed to the geometric and construction standards for the Interstate System and has been designated as a part of the Interstate System.

§ 470.113National Highway System procedures.

(a) Proposals for system actions on the National Highway System shall include a route description, a statement of justification, and statements of coordination with adjoining States on State-line connections, with responsible local officials, and with officials of areas under Federal jurisdiction.

(b) Proposed modifications to the National Highway System shall enhance the national transportation characteristics of the National Highway System and shall follow the criteria listed in § 470.107. Proposals shall also consider the criteria contained in appendix D of this subpart.

§ 470.115Approval authority.

(a) The Federal Highway Administrator will approve Federal-aid highway system actions involving the designation, or revision, of routes on the Interstate System, including route numbers, future Interstate routes, and routes on the National Highway System.

Pt. 470, Subpt. A, App. AAppendix A to Subpart A of Part 470—Guidance Criteria for Evaluating Requests for Interstate System Designations Under 23 U.S.C. 139 (a) and (b)

Section 139 (a) and (b), of title 23, U.S.C., permits States to request the designation of National Highway System routes as parts or future parts of the Interstate System. The FHWA Administrator may approve such a request if the route is a logical addition or connection to the Interstate System and has been, or will be, constructed to meet Interstate standards. The following are the general criteria to be used to evaluate 23 U.S.C. 139 requests for Interstate System designations.

1. The proposed route should be of sufficient length to serve long-distance Interstate travel, such as connecting routes between principal metropolitan cities or industrial centers important to national defense and economic development.

2. The proposed route should not duplicate other Interstate routes. It should serve Interstate traffic movement not provided by another Interstate route.

3. The proposed route should directly serve major highway traffic generators. The term “major highway traffic generator” means either an urbanized area with a population over 100,000 or a similar major concentrated land use activity that produces and attracts long-distance Interstate and statewide travel of persons and goods. Typical examples of similar major concentrated land use activities would include a principal industrial complex, government center, military installation, or transportation terminal.

4. The proposed route should connect to the Interstate System at each end, with the exception of Interstate routes that connect with continental routes at an international border, or terminate in a “major highway traffic generator” that is not served by another Interstate route. In the latter case, the terminus of the Interstate route should connect to routes of the National Highway System that will adequately handle the traffic. The proposed route also must be functionally classified as a principal arterial and be a part of the National Highway System system.

5. The proposed route must meet all the current geometric and safety standards criteria as set forth in 23 CFR part 625 for highways on the Interstate System, or a formal agreement to construct the route to such standards within 12 years must be executed between the State(s) and the Federal Highway Administration. Any proposed exceptions to the standards shall be approved at the time of designation.

6. A route being proposed for designation under 23 U.S.C. 139(b) must have an approved final environmental document (including, if required, a 49 U.S.C. 303(c) [Section 4(f)] approval) covering the route and project action must be ready to proceed with design at the time of designation. Routes constructed to Interstate standards are not necessarily logical additions to the Interstate System unless they clearly meet all of the above criteria.

Pt. 470, Subpt. A, App. BAppendix B to Subpart A of Part 470—Designation of Segments of Section 332(a)(2) Corridors as Parts of the Interstate System

The following guidance is comparable to current procedures for Interstate System designation requests under 23 U.S.C. 139(a). All Interstate System additions must be approved by the Federal Highway Administrator. The provisions of section 332(a)(2) of the NHS Act have also been incorporated into the ISTEA as section 1105(e)(5)(A).

1. The request must be submitted through the appropriate FHWA Division and Regional Offices to the Associate Administrator for Program Development (HEP-10). Comments and recommendations by the division and regional offices are requested.

2. The State DOT secretary (or equivalent) must request that the route segment be added to the Interstate System. The exact location and termini must be specified. If the route segment involves more than one State, each affected State must submit a separate request.

3. The request must provide information to support findings that the segment (a) is built to Interstate design standards and (b) connects to the existing Interstate System. The segment should be of sufficient length to provide substantial service to the travelling public.

4. The request must also identify and justify any design exceptions for which approval is requested.

5. Proposed Interstate route numbering for the segment must be submitted to FHWA and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Route Numbering

Pt. 470, Subpt. A, App. CAppendix C to Subpart A of Part 470—Policy for the Signing and Numbering of Future Interstate Corridors Designated by Section 332 of the NHS Designation Act of 1995 or Designated Under 23 U.S.C. 139(b)Policy

State transportation agencies are permitted to erect informational Interstate signs along a federally designated future Interstate corridor only after the specific route location has been established for the route to be constructed to Interstate design standards.

Conditions

1. The corridor must have been designated a future part of the Interstate System under section 332(a)(2) of the NHS Designation Act of 1995 or 23 U.S.C. 139(b).

2. The specific route location to appropriate termini must have received Federal Highway (FHWA) environmental clearance. Where FHWA environmental clearance is not required or Interstate standards have been met, the route location must have been publicly announced by the State.

3. Numbering of future Interstate route segments must be coordinated with affected States and be approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the FHWA at Headquarters. Short portions of a multistate corridor may require use of an interim 3-digit number.

4. The State shall coordinate the location and content of signing near the State line with the adjacent State.

5. Signing and other identification of a future Interstate route segment must not indicate, nor imply, that the route is on the Interstate System.

6. The FHWA Regional Office must confirm in advance that the above conditions have been met and approve the general locations of signs.

Sign Details

1. Signs may not be used to give directions and should be away from directional signs, particularly at interchanges.

2. An Interstate shield may be located on a green informational sign of a few words. For example: Future Interstate Corridor or Future I-00 Corridor.

3. The Interstate shield may not include the word “Interstate.”

4. The FHWA Division Office must approve the signs as to design, wording, and detailed location.

Pt. 470, Subpt. A, App. DAppendix D to Subpart A of Part 470—Guidance Criteria for Evaluating Requests for Modifications to the National Highway System

Section 103(b), of title 23, U.S.C., allows the States to propose modifications to the National Highway System (NHS) and authorizes the Secretary to approve such modifications provided that they meet the criteria established for the NHS and enhance the characteristics of the NHS. In proposing modifications under 23 U.S.C. 103(b), the States must cooperate with local and regional officials. In urbanized areas, the local officials must act through the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) designated for such areas under 23 U.S.C. 134. The following guidance criteria should be used by the States to develop proposed modifications to the NHS.

1. Proposed additions to the NHS should be included in either an adopted State or metropolitan transportation plan or program.

2. Proposed additions should connect at each end with other routes on the NHS or serve a major traffic generator.

3. Proposals should be developed in consultation with local and regional officials.

4. Proposals to add routes to the NHS should include information on the type of traffic served (i.e., percent of trucks, average trip length, local, commuter, interregional, interstate) by the route, the population centers or major traffic generators served by the route, and how this service compares with existing NHS routes.

5. Proposals should include information on existing and anticipated needs and any planned improvements to the route.

6. Proposals should include information concerning the possible effects of adding or deleting a route to or from the NHS might have on other existing NHS routes that are in close proximity.

7. Proposals to add routes to the NHS should include an assessment of whether modifications (adjustments or deletions) to existing NHS routes, which provide similar service, may be appropriate.

8. Proposed modifications that might affect adjoining States should be developed in cooperation with those States.

9. Proposed modifications consisting of connections to major intermodal facilities should be developed using the criteria set forth below. These criteria were used for identifying initial NHS connections to major intermodal terminals. The primary criteria are based on annual passenger volumes, annual freight volumes, or daily vehicular traffic on one or more principal routes that serve the intermodal facility. The secondary criteria include factors which underscore the importance of an intermodal facility within a specific State.

Primary CriteriaCommercial Aviation Airports

1. Passengers—scheduled commercial service with more than 250,000 annual enplanements.

2. Cargo—100 trucks per day in each direction on the principal connecting route, or 100,000 tons per year arriving or departing by highway mode.

Ports

1. Terminals that handle more than 50,000 TEUs (a volumetric measure of containerized cargo which stands for twenty-foot equivalent units) per year, or other units measured that would convert to more than 100 trucks per day in each direction. (Trucks are defined as large single-unit trucks or combination vehicles handling freight.)

2. Bulk commodity terminals that handle more than 500,000 tons per year by highway or 100 trucks per day in each direction on the principal connecting route. (If no individual terminal handles this amount of freight, but a cluster of terminals in close proximity to each other does, then the cluster of terminals could be considered in meeting the criteria. In such cases, the connecting route might terminate at a point where the traffic to several terminals begins to separate.)

3. Passengers—terminals that handle more than 250,000 passengers per year or 1,000 passengers per day for at least 90 days during the year.

Truck/Rail

1. 50,000 TEUs per year, or 100 trucks per day, in each direction on the principal connecting route, or other units measured that would convert to more than 100 trucks per day in each direction. (Trucks are defined as large single-unit trucks or combination vehicles carrying freight.)

Pipelines

1. 100 trucks per day in each direction on the principal connecting route.

Amtrak

1. 100,000 passengers per year (entrainments and detrainments). Joint Amtrak, intercity bus and public transit terminals should be considered based on the combined passenger volumes. Likewise, two or more separate facilities in close proximity should be considered based on combined passenger volumes.

Intercity Bus

1. 100,000 passengers per year (boardings and deboardings).

Public Transit

1. Stations with park and ride lots with more than 500 vehicle parking spaces, or 5,000 daily bus or rail passengers, with significant highway access (i.e., a high percentage of the passengers arrive by cars and buses using a route that connects to another NHS route), or a major hub terminal that provides for the transfer of passengers among several bus routes. (These hubs should have a significant number of buses using a principal route connecting with the NHS.)

Ferries

1. Interstate/international—1,000 passengers per day for at least 90 days during the year. (A ferry which connects two terminals within the same metropolitan area should be considered as local, not interstate.)

2. Local—see public transit criteria above.

Secondary Criteria

Any of the following criteria could be used to justify an NHS connection to an intermodal terminal where there is a significant highway interface:

1. Intermodal terminals that handle more than 20 percent of passenger or freight volumes by mode within a State;

2. Intermodal terminals identified either in the Intermodal Management System or the State and metropolitan transportation plans as a major facility;

4. Connecting routes targeted by the State, MPO, or others for investment to address an existing, or anticipated, deficiency as a result of increased traffic.

Proximate Connections

Intermodal terminals, identified under the secondary criteria noted above, may not have sufficient highway traffic volumes to justify an NHS connection to the terminal. States and MPOs should fully consider whether a direct connection should be identified for such terminals, or whether being in the proximity (2 to 3 miles) of an NHS route is sufficient.